I call it "US 1" most of the time, "Route 1" the rest of the time.

How about El Dorado after the legendary "Lost City of Gold" that has fascinated – and so far eluded – citizens since the sixties. Though many have searched for years on end to find this city of gold, no evidence of such a place has been found. Just weed infested lots and crumbling infrastructure and blighted strip shopping centers fraught with dangerous crossings that even the conquistador Pizarro would have found unconquerable.

The area is what it is. What you call it doesn't matter. If we make it a good neighborhood, then the meaning of the name will change.

Another name could be "Yellow Brick Road". Not certain which end is the Emerald City but clearly heart, brains and courage are required to get us a comprehensive and inclusive stakeholder revitalization plan. Thus far, no one has made it past the poppy fields. The wicked witch has clearly cast a curse on revitalization that improves the infrastructure and bringing the kind of development with a range of economic opportunities and benefits along with more housing options and a better environment. I think the Wizard may be a troika of elected officials, business investors and developers that operate the gears and levers behind the curtain that are well rehearsed at manipulating the development options and outcomes while avoiding meaningful engagement with the citizens impacted by faux revitalization efforts. Lift the curtain on some of the proposed development and the truth is revealed that many projects are developer/business centered lacking community serving benefits.

I agree with David and apparently the majority of voters. We should focus on making it a better place. A name change is not as meaningful --- it's the improvements that will make a difference. I recall that some folks wanted to change the name of the Lorton area because of the negative connotations of the DC prison. It didn't happen, but Lorton has been one of the most up and coming areas in the County and its image has changed. On the other hand, maybe we should refer to Route 1 as Richmond Highway from time to time like when we try to get a fairer share of the tax dollars we send to Richmond.

I agree with both Greg and David that it should not matter. Change is coming but the level of civic engagement is the missing wheel. The development templates presented to the neighborhoods along Richmond Highway serve the developers first and communities are left to react. There are other models in the VA8 district in Arlington on the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor where all stakeholders came together to find consensus on what their future would be. I contend that the civic engagement component is the missing wheel on Richmond Highway. When communities react to a developer proposed project, they become demonized as anti development. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

You already paid taxes to the County for a Revitalization Analysis of Richmond Highway by the Lesser Company that recommends renaming Richmond Highway "Woodlawn Boulevard". Woodlawn was recommended by local citizens advising Lesser as a positive word unique to our local community, and Boulevard as a positive word to best describe the 16 to 20 foot wide treed, landscaped and pedestrian refuge median recommended in the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan.

Some median segments are already paid for and done

Yes, the Lesser Report has numerous suggestions. The report shows some consideration for communities adjoining the commercial/retail section of the corridor but it is primarily advisory as are resolutions from the MVCCA.
I am just returned from a family visit to Frederick, MD, A visit to the pedestrian friendly revitalized downtown area and a walk along the canal is a unique and inviting experience that blends nature, engineering, history and commerce. A visitors guide invites people to explore the historical and natural resources while having an opportunity to dine, shop and find lodging in a picturesque setting. There is a special cachet that entices people to make this place a destination.
In our District we have the historical and natural resources that are appealing but the 16 to 20 foot wide treed, landscaped and pedestrian refuge medians are not what I expect to see in a visitor destination guide.
In another PATCH blog on US1 and development another citizen states "it appears that our leaders are simply responding to grandiose plans of individual developers and their architects without giving serious thought to the consequences--, not only in terms of the impact on residents of adjacent communities, but on mobility."
I would add to that, the complete lack of coordination to link the attractive historical and natural resources to commerce on the highway denies residents and citizens revenue that could be applied to funding more than landscaped medians.

The Lesser recommendations for a Kings Crossing pedestrian friendly plaza fand underpass were supported by all Rt 1 communities, SFDC, Chamber and Supervisors. VDOT didn't agree and that was the end of that. Enthusiasm shrinks with disappointment.

US 1 or US Route 1 should be how the corridor is referred as the road is a Federal Highway. You would be surprised how many people that are generally knowledgeable about civic matters did not realize that US Route 1 receives 80% of improvement funding from the US Federal government, while the Commonwealth chips in 20%. In other words, 1/5 of infrastructure improvement money comes from the Commonwealth and 4/5 comes from the Federal government.

Since we originally lived in Arlington close to Jefferson-Davis (US Route 1), we are curious as to how Fairfax County chose "Richmond Highway" for its section while Arlington and Prince William County use the Jefferson-Davis moniker.

Was it always Federal or did it get that distinction when it became a paved highway? My understanding from the historical reports I have read is that the stretch from Alexandria to Army Camp A. A. Humphreys (later renamed Fort Belvoir) was paved during WWI. Some of the older original road bed is still visible along the banks of Quander Brook near Belle Haven Park.
As cars became more popular a system of roads began to develop informally through the actions of private interests, these were known as auto trails. They originally existed without the support or coordination of the federal government, although in some states, the state governments participated in their planning and development.
The first of these National Auto Trails was the Lincoln Highway in 1912. This was also the 50th Anniversary of the Civil War. The Jefferson Davis Memorial Highway was sponsored by the United Daughters of the Confederacy and intended to begin in Washington, D.C. and to go through the south all the way to San Diego. Maybe the feds paid for the paved stretch from Alexandria to Belvoir.
So does the federal government have 80% responsibility for funding improvements today?
The names pose an interesting question. VA certainly has a penchant for naming roads after Confederate heroes and former slave owners.