A process to select a new operator for the Torpedo Factory Art Center is moving forward, and the option to display remains of an 18th century ship could potentially be part of operators’ plans.
On Saturday, Alexandria City Council gave final approval to a procurement process to select a new operator for the Torpedo Factory Art Center at 105 N. Union Street. Council previously delayed approval of the procurement process to add a provision about exploring displays of historical archaeology artifacts.
“There is nothing in this RFI that mandates that the operator find a place for the ship in the Torpedo Factory,” Mayor Alyia Gaskins said. “I think that we wanted to do is, anyone who is putting in a proposal to operate, lease, maintain the Torpedo Factory — we wanted to be transparent with them that we do have to have conversations about the ship and where it might go.”
Alexandria Archaeological Commission chair Ivy Whitlatch had requested the Torpedo Factory operator selection process incorporate the Alexandria Archaeology Museum, which is located in the art center. She said the process should factor in the Torpedo Factory as a potential landing place for the 18th century ship hull found at the Hotel Indigo site on the waterfront in 2015.
Archeologists worked on recovering the remains of the ship hull and an 18th century warehouse between 2015 and 2017. Whitlatch said the ship hull will be ready for display when conservation is complete in 2028.
“Since the discovery of the ship hull, there have been many discussions, mostly informal, about exhibiting the ship hull and the associated artifacts in that discovery in the Torpedo Factory,” Whitlatch told City Council on Jan. 24.
At Saturday’s meeting, Torpedo Factory artist Lisa Schumaier shared support for the city’s operator selection process but raised concerns over displaying the ship’s remains. Schumaier said the display would take away a number of existing artist studios.
“We have been reassured over and over again by council and by the city manager that it would remain an art center,” Schumaier told City Council on Saturday. “And while I think the boat is great and I love archeology being in the building, I don’t think it’s the right place for the boat.”
Mayor Alyia Gaskins said she has received numerous emails from the community and Torpedo Factory artists. She clarified that at this time, “there is no active proposal” or any studios being displaced.
“There are no studios that are being closed at this time,” she said. “This really is an opportunity for us to have conversations with potential vendors about all of the things we want to see to make this more vibrant, and recognizing we want to be honest that we do need to find a home for the ship, and we want whoever we bring in to be able to engage in those conversations.”
Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley said City Council’s inclusion of historical archeological artifacts in the procurement process was intended to gauge applicant interest.
“If there’s any specific project or proposal going forward, [Alexandria Archaeology] wanted to just ensure that they were part of the analysis that any bidder would make, and we agreed with that as a body,” Bagley said.
The city took over operations of the waterfront arts center in 2016 and since then has introduced a vibrancy plan and jurying process to select artists for leased studio space. Among the recommendations developed by a stakeholder task force and endorsed by City Council was moving to an alternate management structure.
Under the procurement process, applicants could seek lease terms of five years or more. Proposals will be rated on the organization’s qualifications, experience and capacity; staff experience; the operational and management approach; marketing plan; the maintenance, tenant improvements and capital improvement strategy; the stakeholder engagement plan and the financial bid.
According to City Council’s docket, proposals for interested operators will be due on April 27, and proposals could go to City Council as soon as May 12. A recommendation about awarding an operator contract could go to City Council later this year.
