Old Town Hall is a historic City of Fairfax building undergoing a major renovation that includes window restoration, a full HVAC overhaul, wiring upgrades, conversion to LED lighting, and new bathrooms. The project was originally planned to close and begin construction in February 2025, but experienced a series of delays: the start was pushed first to mid-to-late March 2025, then to April 2025 due to permitting issues, and the City Council presentation on construction approval (originally set for April 1, 2025) was further delayed to April 22, 2025 due to budget issues.
- Substantial completion is targeted for mid-October 2026, but no confirmed opening date has been established — the opening timeline remains pending.
- The specialty window restoration work by an Ohio craftsman is ongoing and has been identified as a schedule risk; its completion date is uncertain.
NOVA Parks (Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority) is a regional parks authority that manages facilities and trails serving the City of Fairfax and surrounding jurisdictions, including the 44-mile W&OD Trail, Meadowlark Gardens, Bull Run Regional Park, Gateway Park, and other sites. The NOVA Parks liaison to the City's Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) is Douglas Stewart, who provides regular stakeholder updates.
- Gateway Park restoration contract award and groundbreaking: contract was nearly ready to be awarded as of March 2026; construction was targeted for summer 2026 — current status of contract award and…
- W&OD Trail Visitors' Center in Vienna (125 Church St): plans announced but dependent on state budget funding — funding status remains unresolved.
Accessory Dwelling UnitsAccessory dwelling unitA second, smaller home on a single-family lot: a basement apartment, a garage conversion, or a backyard cottage. (ADUs) have been under active consideration in the City of Fairfax since at least mid-2024, rooted in Comprehensive PlanComprehensive planThe city's long-range vision for land use, transportation, housing, and parks. Rezonings are judged partly on whether they fit it. recommendations and a 2023 Housing Assessment calling for expanded ADU permissions. Attached ADUs have been permitted in the city since 2003 (initially as a special use), transitioned to a permitted-with-conditions use in 2016, and an occupancy limitation restricting residents to seniors or disabled persons was removed in 2024.
- Whether the Planning CommissionPlanning CommissionThe appointed body that reviews land-use applications and plans first and sends a recommendation to City Council, which makes the final decision.'s September 2026 miscellaneous clarifying amendments (nonconforming lots/structures language, detached ADUAccessory dwelling unitA second, smaller home on a single-family lot: a basement apartment, a garage conversion, or a backyard cottage. footprint standard inclusion) have been formally adopted by…
- Whether HHCAB's ZoningZoningThe city rules that say what can be built where: uses, height, density, setbacks, and parking, by district. Strategy Team has completed or will complete its engagement with the ADUAccessory dwelling unitA second, smaller home on a single-family lot: a basement apartment, a garage conversion, or a backyard cottage. zoning process to assess affordable housing opportunities, as planned in its workplan.
Northfax is one of five activity centers designated by the City of Fairfax Planning CommissionPlanning CommissionThe appointed body that reviews land-use applications and plans first and sends a recommendation to City Council, which makes the final decision. for special attention and zoningZoningThe city rules that say what can be built where: uses, height, density, setbacks, and parking, by district. review for mixed-useMixed-useA building or project that combines homes with shops, offices, or other uses. development (noted at the February 12, 2026 PRAB meeting). It has an adopted Small Area PlanSmall area planA detailed plan for one neighborhood or corridor that fills in the comprehensive plan's broad goals with block-level guidance. that estimates 1,400 new residential units in the near term (10–15 year window); as of late July 2026, 1,088 units were already in some phase of the land use process in the activity center.
- Whether the Phase 4 rezoningRezoningChanging which zoning district a property sits in, which changes what can be built there. Goes to the Planning Commission for a recommendation, then to City Council for the vote. application (CR to CU) will be formally filed and how the Planning CommissionPlanning CommissionThe appointed body that reviews land-use applications and plans first and sends a recommendation to City Council, which makes the final decision. and City Council will act on it.
- How ground-floor retail/commercial space will be programmed at Northfax West Phase 4, given acknowledged limited Northfax streetscape frontage and access challenges from Route 50 — options under…
Courthouse Plaza is a mixed-useMixed-useA building or project that combines homes with shops, offices, or other uses. redevelopment proposal for the shopping center at 10300 Willard Way and 3922 Blenheim Boulevard in Fairfax, anchored by a Safeway grocery store. Combined Courthouse, LLC originally sought 8 Special ExceptionsSpecial exceptionA council-approved departure from a specific zoning rule, such as parking counts or height, for one property. for a mixed-use development in the CR Commercial Retail district and Old Town Fairfax Transition Overlay District; a City Council work sessionWork sessionA meeting for discussion and briefing only. No formal votes are taken, but positions get set here. was held on September 24, 2024, and a public hearingPublic hearingThe formal, legally advertised part of a meeting where anyone can speak on an item before the body votes. was held July 22, 2025, but Council deferredDeferredPostponed to a later meeting without a decision. Items can be deferred to a set date or indefinitely. action to October 28, 2025 and ultimately denied the request 4–2 on that date.
- City Council public hearingPublic hearingThe formal, legally advertised part of a meeting where anyone can speak on an item before the body votes. and action on the Courthouse Plaza land use application (second cycle) is anticipated for the December 8, 2026 City Council meeting — no decision has been made.
- The Board of Architectural ReviewBoard of Architectural ReviewThe appointed board that reviews building design, signs, and exterior changes in the historic and commercial districts. public hearingPublic hearingThe formal, legally advertised part of a meeting where anyone can speak on an item before the body votes. on the Courthouse Plaza design (noted as scheduled for the week of September 14, 2026, with reported architectural changes since last review) has not…
The Fairfax City Young at Heart Senior Center, currently located at Green Acres Center (a repurposed 1961 school building), is a membership-based senior activity hub offering programs including pickleball, bocce, bus trips, craft markets, holiday events, and fitness activities. Chuck Paceley has served as the regular PRAB stakeholder liaison for the Senior Center throughout this period.
- Outcome and full implications of the April 28, 2026 City Council vote on the Willard Sherwood Health and Community Center for the Senior Center's future at Green Acres.
- A proposed $60/year membership fee (benchmarked against Fairfax County pricing, raised at the April 2025 PRAB meeting) — whether it was adopted or rejected.
The Fairfax City Parks Foundation is a nonprofit entity created to raise private funds and accept donations (including bequests) to support parks projects in the City of Fairfax. Its formation involved an extended bylaw revision process: in October 2024, PRAB agreed to a 60% board residency requirement and revised the director appointment process so that PRAB nominates directors and City Council approves.
- Whether the approximately $470,000 Legacy for Fairfax fund transfer to the Parks Foundation bank account was completed as planned on July 1, 2026 (no confirmation recorded after June 2026).
- Status of the naming rights policy: no recorded outcome confirming City Council adoption after PRAB's edits were incorporated in July 2026.
Thaiss Park is a City park undergoing full redevelopment, including new ballfields, a playground, adult exercise equipment, a clubhouse building, and related infrastructure. The City Council approved a $7,725,650 construction contract with Bright Masonry, Inc. on October 8, 2024, and the project was fully funded.
- The main contractor (Bright Construction) has fired all staff and deleted its website as of July 2026 — the project is on hold pending clarification on how construction will proceed.
- An ARPA funds deadline is looming; it is unresolved whether the project will meet it given the contractor situation.
The Historic Resources Merger is an ongoing consolidation effort tracked by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB). As of April 2026, the merger was reported to be proceeding well, with concurrent physical improvements underway at the Blenheim Interpretive Center (BIC), including repainting and atrium renovations, and a planned reopening of that facility on April 22, 2026.
- Which positions are to be listed as part of the merger, and when will they be posted?
- What remaining steps are needed to complete the merger process?
The Pat Rodio Playground is a public playground project funded at $400,000, of which $315,000 was allocated for equipment and surfacing, with the remainder reserved for fencing, walkways, and trees. Early planning included a public survey (results reported June 12, 2025) showing strong public preference for swings, followed by PRAB's selection of color option 6 from 12 options.
- Whether fencing, walkways, and landscaping have been completed (still pending as of November 13, 2025, with no follow-up update recorded through July 2026).
- Whether the new code-of-conduct signage has been developed and installed (noted as forthcoming as of November 13, 2025).
Green Acres is a city-owned facility in Fairfax City that currently serves as the home of the Young at Heart Senior Center, operated by Parks and Recreation staff under Ann Chase. The facility hosts a wide range of senior programming (Mahjong, Bocce, Pickleball, Lunch and Learn, Senior Trips, etc.) as well as community meetings, workshops, and recreation activities for broader age groups.
- Whether Green Acres will be redeveloped or repurposed for affordable housing, given the School Board covenant and the pending Willard Sherwood project proposal.
- Whether the comprehensive planComprehensive planThe city's long-range vision for land use, transportation, housing, and parks. Rezonings are judged partly on whether they fit it.'s land use section will be updated to reflect the changing status and potential of the Green Acres site in light of the Willard Sherwood project, as raised in the May…
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