WSHCC
The West Side Human Community Center (WSHCC) is a city parks capital project that progressed through budgetary planning, land use approval, and City Council authorization over approximately one year. 2 separate matters touch this project; each has its own status.
Willard Sherwood
The Willard Sherwood Health and Community Center (WSHCC) is a City of Fairfax project to construct a new health and community center, intended in part to replace the aging Green Acres facility for senior services. As of April 2025, the project's future was uncertain due to staffing and building security concerns, with a full City Council presentation scheduled for April 22, 2025, and all city trails work paused in the interim.
- Jun 11, 2026Parks and Recreation Advisory Board · item 3Joint Senior Council Meeting
The Senior Council identified WSHCC as a park project they would like PRAB to advocate for, citing prior Senior Council advocacy for the project.
Thaiss Park
Thaiss Park is a City park undergoing a full redevelopment project contracted to Bright Masonry, Inc. for $7,725,650, approved by City Council on October 8, 2024. Construction began in December 2024 following utility relocation work and full park closure; the cross-county trail was kept open but made inaccessible from the park during construction.
- Joint School Board Meeting
A meeting is scheduled for June 4th to show the impact on the existing Sherwood building and police station and present a better construction schedule; the current plan is to close half the building (including the Performance Space and Art Room) while continuing to operate in the other half. The WSHCC project was reported to have passed unanimously at a recent City Council meeting.
- Old Business – WSHCC Update
Different budgetary scenarios are being prepared; concerns include staffing and the cost of the building.
- WSHCC – Update
Overview given to new members; low/medium/high cost recovery options to be presented; heavy rental could recover costs but community prefers open gym time; next City Council vote is in September.
- Old Business – WSHCC Update
The next Council vote on the WSHCC is scheduled for September 30th; the Willard building is now vacant. The Van Dyck Master Plan CIP has been pushed out to ensure WSHCC is complete before beginning construction; a separate SCSCC update CIP was submitted contingent on WSHCC not including the performance space update.
- Old Business – WSHCC Update
The project is scheduled to go before City Council soon for a vote on the special land use permit.
In full
Through mid-2025, staff was preparing low, medium, and high cost-recovery scenarios for the facility, with community preference noted for open gym time over heavy rental use. The Willard building associated with the project became vacant by September 2025, and a City Council vote on the special land use permit was anticipated in late September–October 2025.
Separately, the Van Dyck Master Plan CIP was pushed out to ensure WSHCC construction is completed first, and a SCSCC performance space update CIP was submitted contingent on WSHCC not including that feature. By May 2026, the WSHCC project was reported to have passed unanimously at a City Council meeting. As of June 2026, the Senior Council identified WSHCC as a priority park project they would like PRAB to continue to advocate for.