Willard-Sherwood Community Center
in progressSummary
The Willard-Sherwood Community Center is a major capital project in the City of Fairfax involving the construction or replacement of a community center facility. The project is a significant priority in the city's capital planning, cited as being notably more cost-effective than repairing the existing building: a public commenter noted in February 2026 that repair costs would reach $58.5 million, exceeding the cost of a new building by over $3.5 million. In November 2024, the City Council unanimously adopted Resolution R-24-32 (6-0) authorizing the City of Fairfax Economic Development Authority to issue revenue bonds up to $54,500,000 to finance general government capital projects, with Willard-Sherwood listed as an anticipated capital expenditure. The project was included in the FY2027–FY2031 Capital Improvement Program recommended by the Planning Commission in February 2026 (PC-26-01, 5-0). By April 28, 2026, the City Council voted to proceed with the project, as subsequently reported by Planning Commission staff on May 11, 2026. The project has attracted sustained and broad public support, including from the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, the City of Fairfax School Board, and senior center representatives, expressed across multiple public comment periods in early 2026. A traffic study associated with the project also had transportation planning implications, as it was found to warrant a traffic signal at University Drive and Leighton Hall Drive (noted January 2025).
Open questions & options on the table
- Specific details of the April 28, 2026 City Council vote to proceed (margin, conditions, scope of approval) are not yet reflected in the record.
- Final financing structure and bond issuance timeline by the EDA have not been recorded as completed.
- Design, procurement, and construction schedule milestones have not yet appeared in the record.
- The separate land use applications (one for the City, one for Fairfax County) heard together at the October 14, 2025 City Council meeting have no recorded outcome in the provided material.
Recent updates
[10] City Council voted to proceed with the Willard-Sherwood Community Center project at the April 28, 2026 meeting, as reported by staff.
[12a] Multiple community members spoke in support of the Willard-Sherwood Community Center project during public comment periods, and one speaker requested funding be included in the FY27 budget.
What members have said
At the February 24, 2026 City Council meeting, Pitches spoke on behalf of the School Board expressing explicit support for the Willard-Sherwood Community Center project.
At the March 24, 2026 City Council meeting, Rose spoke in support of the Willard-Sherwood Community Center project during general public comment.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
Full history
- Nov 12, 2024City Council · item 11a
[11a] Listed as an anticipated capital expenditure to be funded through the $54.5M revenue bond issuance.
- Feb 9, 2026Planning Commission · item 6a
[6a] The Willard-Sherwood project was cited by commissioners during CIP discussion as a significant capital priority; a work session on the project was also noted as scheduled for City Council the following evening.
- Feb 24, 2026City Council · item 5
[5] Seven members of the public, including a representative of the Green Acres Senior Center Senior Council and the Chair of the City of Fairfax School Board, addressed the City Council in support of the Willard-Sherwood Community Center project.
- Mar 24, 2026City Council · item 5 & 8
[5 & 8] Numerous residents and Jennifer Rose, Executive Director of the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, spoke in support of the Willard-Sherwood Community Center project during the general public comment periods.
[12a] Multiple community members spoke in support of the Willard-Sherwood Community Center project during public comment periods, and one speaker requested funding be included in the FY27 budget.
[10] City Council voted to proceed with the Willard-Sherwood Community Center project at the April 28, 2026 meeting, as reported by staff.