Blenheim Boulevard Multimodal Improvements
approvedStatus set at City Council Meeting on Jun 23, 2026 · ▶ watch the moment
Project wiki — a maintained overview, meeting history, and recorded positions.
- Proposed
- Under reviewJun 3, 2025
- approvedApr 28, 2026
Summary
The Blenheim Boulevard Multimodal Improvements Project (UPC 107013) is a multimodal transportation corridor upgrade that runs from Blenheim Hall Drive to Ridge Avenue, designed to increase public safety and promote alternatives to automobile use. The project has a long planning history with extensive community input and is partially funded through NVTA 70% funding (SPA 2020-48-2). Key milestones include a June 2025 Council work session, a June 24, 2025 unanimous vote (6-0) authorizing quick-take condemnation powers to acquire necessary rights-of-way and easements in order to meet project deadlines — with amendments to correct owner name spellings on parcels 008 and 054 and to delete parcels 004 and 047. Utility relocation was underway as of March 2026. On April 28, 2026, Council unanimously approved (6-0) awarding a construction contract to Fort Myer Construction Corporation for $21,770,570, conditional on final VDOT approval. On June 23, 2026, Council approved (5-0, with Hall absent) a resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign the NVTA standard project agreement for 70% project funding. A separate, future phase extending the improvements into Old Town and through Fairfax Circle has been identified in small area plan recommendations but is not yet funded or approved.
Official city record
City Project
Reconstruction of Blenheim Boulevard with sidewalks, a two-way cycle track, upgraded bus stops, and additional turn lanes, enhancing safety and accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders.
Open questions & options on the table
- Final approval of the construction contract by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) was noted as a condition at the time of the April 28, 2026 award — confirmation of that approval has not been recorded in the material.
- A future extension of the Blenheim Boulevard multimodal improvements into Old Town and through Fairfax Circle (beyond the current Ridge Avenue terminus) has been recommended based on the Old Town and Fairfax Circle small area plans but has no approved funding, CIP request, or timeline.
- Actual construction start date has not been confirmed in the record (as of March 2026, utility relocation was underway with construction expected later in 2026 or early 2027).
What members have said
On June 24, 2025, Hardy-Chandler made the motion to adopt the quick-take resolution, including its amendments to correct owner spellings and delete parcels 004 and 047. On April 28, 2026, Hardy-Chandler moved to authorize the award of the construction contract to Fort Myer Construction Corporation for $21,770,570.
On April 28, 2026, Peterson seconded Hardy-Chandler's motion to award the construction contract to Fort Myer Construction Corporation.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
Discussion time
Minutes of named discussion per transcribed meeting.
Full history
[1a] A status update on the Blenheim Boulevard Multimodal Improvement Project was presented to City Council during the work session. No vote or formal action was taken.
[7] City Council held a work session on Blenheim Boulevard multimodal improvements at the June 3, 2025 meeting, as reported by staff.
[7a] Council authorized the exercise of quick-take condemnation powers to acquire necessary rights-of-way and easements from various property owners in order to meet project deadlines; the resolution was amended to correct owner spellings on parcels 008 and 054 and remove parcels 004 and 047.
passedAdopt the resolution authorizing quick-take powers and condemnation proceedings for the Blenheim Boulevard Multimodal Improvements Project (UPC 107013), as amended to correct owner spellings on parcels 008 and 054 and to delete parcels 004 and 047.✓ Amos✓ Bates✓ Hall✓ Hardy-Chandler✓ McQuillen✓ Peterson[9a] Council unanimously approved awarding the construction contract to Fort Myer Construction Corporation for $21,770,570; project advances to construction.
passedAuthorize the purchasing agenda to award a construction contract in the amount of $21,770,570 to Fort Myer Construction Corporation for construction of the Blenheim Boulevard Multimodal Improvements Project.✓ Amos✓ Bates✓ Hall✓ Hardy-Chandler✓ McQuillen✓ Peterson[10] City Council initiated a contract for the Blenheim Boulevard Multimodal project at the April 28, 2026 meeting, as reported by staff.
[6c] A resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign the NVTA standard project agreement for 70% funding of Blenheim Boulevard Multimodal Improvements (SPA 2020-48-2) was approved as part of the consent agenda.
passedApproval of the consent agenda, including the NVTA project agreement for Blenheim Boulevard Multimodal Improvements (SPA 2020-48-2).✓ Amos✓ Bates✓ Hardy-Chandler✓ McQuillen✓ Peterson· Hall
Discussed alongside
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