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Project · on the record since 2024 · discussed in 5 transcribed meetings

Willard-Sherwood Community Center

The Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center is a joint City of Fairfax and Fairfax County redevelopment project at 3740 and 3750 Blenheim Boulevard, replacing existing facilities with a new health, wellness, and recreation center featuring an underground parking garage, rooftop amenity space, fenced outdoor playgrounds, and a bridge connection to the existing Stacey C. 13 separate matters touch this project; each has its own status.

Official city record

City Project

Fairfax City & Fairfax County are redeveloping the Joseph Willard Health Center and Stacy C. Sherwood Center sites into a single destination for health, wellness, fitness, and child care. Located at Layton Hall Drive and Blenheim Boulevard, the new Willard-Sherwood Health & Community Center will provide integrated city- and county-operated community, health, and human services to all residents.

Location: 3750 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, VA 22030
Project page →View city project page
in progress

The Blenheim Boulevard Multimodal Improvements Project (UPC-107013) is a city transportation corridor upgrade adding walking and biking infrastructure, benches, and an amphitheater, running from Blenheim Hall Drive to Ridge Avenue. The project has been in planning and design for several years, with construction expected to begin in 2025 per early-year projections; utility relocation was underway as of March 2026, with construction start revised to later in 2026 or early 2027.

Private Development · Under Review

Courthouse Plaza

in progress

Courthouse Plaza (10300 Willard Way and 3922 Blenheim Boulevard) is a shopping center redevelopment project in the CR Commercial Retail/Old Town Fairfax Transition Overlay District, proposed by Combined Courthouse, LLC. The project has proceeded through two distinct application cycles.

Private Development · Under Review

Gallery at City Center

in progress

Gallery at City Center is a proposed mixed-use redevelopment by Christopher Land, LLC at 4085, 4101, 4103, and 4117 Chain Bridge Road (a 3.86 +/- acre site in Old Town, between University Drive and Chain Bridge Road). The project proposes replacing approximately 119,934 square feet of existing office space with a mix of office, retail/restaurant, and apartments across three buildings, with subterranean/structured parking.

in progress

The Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center at 3740 Blenheim Boulevard is an existing community facility in the City of Fairfax that has been central to a broader health and community center development effort — the Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center project — undertaken jointly by the City of Fairfax and Fairfax County.

  • Oct 14, 2025City Council · item 7aapproved
    Public hearing and Council action – Special Use Permit, special exceptions, and Certificate of Appropriateness for Health and Community Center at 3740 Blenheim Boulevard (Tax Map 57-2-02-175A) – City of Fairfax applicant

    Council approved the Special Use Permit for expanded government use, two special exceptions, and a Certificate of Appropriateness for the joint City-County Health and Community Center redevelopment at 3740 Blenheim Boulevard.

    passedApprove Special Use Permit for expanded government use in RM district at 3740 Blenheim Boulevard (Tax Map 57-2-02-175A).
    ✓ Read✓ Amos✓ Bates✕ Hall✓ Hardy-Chandler✕ McQuillen✕ Peterson
    passedAdopt resolution approving two special exceptions (required side yard modification and parking reduction) at 3740 Blenheim Boulevard (Tax Map 57-2-02-175A).
    ✓ Read✓ Amos✓ Bates✕ Hall✓ Hardy-Chandler✕ McQuillen✕ Peterson
    passedApprove Certificate of Appropriateness for architecture and landscaping at 3740 Blenheim Boulevard (Tax Map 57-2-02-175A).
    ✓ Read✓ Amos✓ Bates✕ Hall✓ Hardy-Chandler✓ McQuillen✕ Peterson
    minutesagenda
  • Apr 28, 2026City Council · item 9bapproved
    Resolution to proceed with the Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center project (R-26-13)

    Council unanimously adopted R-26-13 authorizing the project to proceed to construction; the optional performing arts space renovation at the existing Sherwood Community Center was excluded and will not proceed at this time.

    passedAdopt resolution (R-26-13) authorizing the Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center Project to proceed to construction, excluding the optional performing arts space renovation, and adopting amendments to the Joint Development Agreement with Fairfax County.
    ✓ Amos✓ Bates✓ Hall✓ Hardy-Chandler✓ McQuillen✓ Peterson
    minutesagenda
approved

The FY2027–FY2031 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is a five-year municipal capital investment plan that was developed through an extended review process spanning late 2025 into 2026 before final adoption. The process began with a staff briefing to the Planning Commission on October 27, 2025, followed by a formal presentation from Acting City Manager Melanie Zipp and CFO Juan Carlos Martinez at the November 10, 2025 Planning Commission work session.

  • Feb 9, 2026Planning Commission · item 6a
    Consideration of a recommendation to the City Council on the Proposed Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal Year 2027 to Fiscal Year 2031

    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.

    passedMotion to adopt Resolution PC-26-01 as shown in Attachment 1, recommending City Council approve the Capital Improvement Program FY2027–FY2031 as proposed, subject to the considerations discussed.
    ✓ Feather✓ Cunningham✓ Lockhart✓ McCarthy✓ Rice
    Watch this momentminutesagenda
completed

The Fairfax Circle Small Area Plan is one of four Activity Center Small Area Plans developed by the City of Fairfax. Planning began in Spring 2023.

denied

The George Snyder Trail was a planned off-street shared-use path project (VDOT UPC 112816) intended to improve multimodal connectivity along Fairfax Boulevard in the City of Fairfax. The project drew sustained and significant public opposition throughout its consideration.

approved

The City of Fairfax's Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) 5-Year Update is a long-term planning document required by Virginia state code to be updated every five years, covering a twenty-year planning horizon. The plan was last updated in 2021 and the update process was underway as of mid-2025, with a public meeting held on November 20, 2025, at Katherine Johnson Middle School Library and a community survey open through the end of 2025.

in progress

The Northfax East-West Roadway is a City of Falls Church capital project to construct a new east-west roadway between Chain Bridge Road and University Drive Extension. The project has been advanced through two rounds of VDOT Revenue Sharing Funding applications.

in progress

The Old Town Parking Study is a city-commissioned analysis of parking demand and utilization in and around Old Town Fairfax City. The study was conducted by a consultant who performed detailed field analysis of parking lots and utilization rates throughout the Old Town area; the data collection occurred in fall 2024, and the study was completed in 2025.

approved

The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for Fiscal Years 2026 through 2030 is a multi-year municipal capital planning document covering infrastructure and facility investments. The process began in September 2024 when Superintendent Platenberg presented a draft CIP at a School Board Work Session, with a formal presentation to the School Board planned for October 4, 2024.

  • May 6, 2025City Council · item 3eapproved
    Consideration and appropriation of the FY 2026 Budget, Schedule of Rates and Levies, FY 2026–2030 Capital Improvement Program, and establishment of Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Rates

    An amendment to defer the Willard-Sherwood community center expansion to the FY 2027 budget failed 3-3; the project remains funded in the FY 2026–2030 CIP as adopted.

    failedMotion to defer consideration and appropriation of the FY 2026 budget to a date certain of May 13, 2025.
    ✓ McQuillen✓ Hall✓ Peterson✕ Read✕ Bates✕ Hardy-Chandler✕ Amos
    failedAmendment to set the real estate tax rate at $1.75 (resulting in reductions of approximately $500,000 for pay study implementation, $188,000 for merit increase, and ~$100,000 in nonprofit funding).
    ✓ McQuillen✓ Hall✓ Peterson✕ Bates✕ Amos✕ Hardy-Chandler
    failedAmendment to defer the Willard-Sherwood community center expansion to the FY 2027 budget.
    ✓ McQuillen✓ Hall✓ Peterson✕ Bates✕ Amos✕ Hardy-Chandler
    failedAmendment to implement 50% of the pay study in FY 2026 and 50% in FY 2027.
    ✓ McQuillen✓ Hall✓ Peterson✕ Bates✕ Amos✕ Hardy-Chandler
    passedAmendment to incorporate all changes included in the Budget Change Document (Attachment I, previously published) into the main budget motion.
    ✓ Read✓ Amos✓ Bates✓ Hardy-Chandler✕ Hall✕ McQuillen✕ Peterson
    failedMotion to set the real estate tax rate at $1.0550 per $100 of assessed value, personal property and machinery and tools tax rate at $4.13 per $100 of assessed value, and personal property tax rate at $0.01 per $100 for qualifying volunteer fire/rescue members, effective January 1, 2025 (first vote).
    ✓ Bates✓ Amos✓ Hardy-Chandler✕ McQuillen✕ Hall✕ Peterson
    passedMotion to set the real estate tax rate at $1.0550 per $100 of assessed value, personal property and machinery and tools tax rate at $4.13 per $100 of assessed value, and personal property tax rate at $0.01 per $100 for qualifying volunteer fire/rescue members, effective January 1, 2025 (second vote).
    ✓ Amos✓ Bates✓ Hall✓ Hardy-Chandler✓ McQuillen✓ Peterson
    passedMain motion to adopt the FY 2026 Budget (all funds), FY 2026 Schedule of Rates and Levies, FY 2026–2030 Capital Improvement Program, FY 2026 health benefit contribution rates, 2.0% merit increase effective January 1, 2026 for eligible general scale employees, and programmed annual step increase for public safety employees, as amended by the Budget Change Document.
    ✓ Amos✓ Bates✓ Hall✓ Hardy-Chandler✓ McQuillen✓ Peterson
    passedMotion to approve appropriation resolutions R-25-10 (General), R-25-11 (Capital), R-25-12 (Wastewater), R-25-13 (Transit), R-25-14 (Stormwater Utility), R-25-15 (Cable), R-25-16 (Old Town), R-25-17 (Transportation Tax), R-25-18 (ARPA), and R-25-19 (Debt Service) for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025.
    ✓ Amos✓ Bates✓ Hall✓ Hardy-Chandler✓ McQuillen✓ Peterson
    Watch this momentminutesagenda
in progress

The Fire Station project (commonly referred to in connection with Fire Station 3) is a planned new fire station construction in the City of Fairfax, identified as a capital expenditure to be funded through the $54.5 million revenue bond issuance approved unanimously by City Council on November 12, 2024 (Resolution R-24-32). The Planning Commission was reviewing Fire Station 3 improvements as part of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), with recommendations expected in January 2025 per a December 2024 PRAB update.

  • Nov 12, 2024City Council · item 11a
    Resolution Requesting Issuance of Revenue Bonds by the City of Fairfax Economic Development Authority – Up to $54,500,000

    Listed as an anticipated capital expenditure to be funded through the $54.5M revenue bond issuance.

    passedAdoption of Resolution R-24-32 requesting the City of Fairfax Economic Development Authority to issue revenue bonds up to $54,500,000 for general government capital project costs.
    ✓ Bates✓ Doyle Feingold✓ Greenfield✓ Lim✓ Ross✓ Stehle
    Watch this momentminutesagenda
in progress
  • Sep 9, 2024Planning Commission · item 10in progress
    Staff Report

    City Council received an update on the Willard Sherwood Health and Community Center project at its September 3, 2024 meeting; Chair Feather noted he expressed to Council the importance of the facility's connection to comprehensive plan goals.

    Watch this momentminutesagenda
Other mentions
  • Sep 3, 2024City Council · item 1ain progress
    Discussion and Update on the Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center Project

    Council received a discussion and update on the Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center project; no formal action was taken.

    Watch this momentagenda
  • Apr 22, 2025City Council · item 1cin progress
    Work Session: Discussion and update on Willard-Sherwood development

    Staff provided an update on the Willard-Sherwood development during the work session. No formal action was taken.

    Watch this momentminutesagenda
  • Jun 10, 2025City Council · item 11ain progress
    Presentation on land use applications for the Willard-Sherwood Health & Community Center at 3740 and 3750 Blenheim Boulevard (Work Session)

    Land use applications for the joint-use City of Fairfax and Fairfax County health, wellness and recreation facility at 3740 and 3750 Blenheim Boulevard were presented during the work session; no formal action was taken.

    Watch this momentminutesagenda
  • Feb 10, 2026City Council · item 11bin progress
    Update and discussion on the joint City/County redevelopment of the Sherwood Community Center and Willard Health Center Complex

    Community Development Director Brooke Hardin reported the project is currently in site and building plan review with contractor pricing received; no Council action was taken.

    minutesagenda
  • Feb 24, 2026City Council · item 5
    Initial General Public Comment Period

    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.

    Watch this momentminutesagenda
  • Mar 24, 2026City Council · item 5 & 8
    General Public Comment Periods

    [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.

    minutesagenda
  • Apr 14, 2026City Council · item 12ain progress
    Work Session: Discussion on the proposed FY 2027 budget, City Council identified topics

    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.

    minutesagenda

In full

Sherwood Community Center. The project has been under active development since at least mid-2024, when City Council received an initial update at a September 3, 2024 work session. Key financing milestones include the November 2024 unanimous approval of Resolution R-24-32 authorizing up to $54.5 million in EDA revenue bonds, and inclusion in the FY 2026–2030 Capital Improvement Program adopted in May 2025 — surviving a failed 3-3 amendment to defer it to FY 2027.

Land use approvals followed at the October 14, 2025 Council meeting, where a Special Use Permit, two special exceptions, and a Certificate of Appropriateness were all approved on 4-3 votes. By February 2026, the project was in site and building plan review with contractor pricing received. On April 28, 2026, Council unanimously adopted Resolution R-26-13 authorizing the project to proceed to construction, though the optional performing arts space renovation at the existing Sherwood Community Center was explicitly excluded and will not proceed at this time.

The project has drawn consistent and broad public support across multiple Council meetings in late 2025 and early 2026.