George Snyder Trail
deniedStatus set at City Council Meeting on Jan 13, 2026
Project wiki — a maintained overview, meeting history, and recorded positions.
- Proposed
- Under reviewJan 28, 2025
- deniedJun 10, 2025
Summary
The George Snyder Trail (GST) was a proposed shared-use path project in the City of Fairfax (VDOT UPC 112816), funded primarily through $20.6 million in I-66 Outside the Beltway concessionaire funding, intended to improve multimodal connectivity along Fairfax Boulevard. The project drew sustained and significant public opposition throughout 2025 and into 2026. In April 2025, the Council voted unanimously (6-0) not to advertise the project in its current configuration and directed staff to explore modifications. After a revised alignment concept was submitted to VDOT, the Council voted in June 2025 (4-2) to reaffirm the full project as designed, defeating both a hybrid western-half option and a full cancellation motion. In December 2025, the Council introduced a $4.6 million supplemental appropriation (3-2-1) to cover construction bids that exceeded the remaining $16 million budget; that appropriation then failed on a 3-3 vote at the January 13, 2026 public hearing. Immediately following the failed appropriation vote, the Council voted 4-2 to cancel the George Snyder Trail Project in its entirety. A related shared-use path component, carrying approximately $9.5 million in FY26 Smart Scale funding, is now being reconceived as the Wilcoxon Trail Extension with an alternative alignment utilizing Draper Drive and Beach Drive; in May 2026 the Council gave consensus to move forward with a feasibility study and public outreach using already-appropriated funds.
Open questions & options on the table
- Feasibility study and public outreach on the Wilcoxon Trail Extension alternative alignment (using Draper Drive and Beach Drive) are underway but not yet complete; no final design or construction decision has been made.
- VDOT must review and approve any modification to the Smart Scale-funded Wilcoxon Trail Extension project scope; the outcome of those discussions is pending.
- Broader multimodal connectivity gaps left by the GST cancellation — including potential shared-use paths on Eaton and connections toward Cardinal Road, Fairwoods Parkway Neighborway, and Fairfax Circle — remain under discussion without formal action.
- The final design type for the Draper Drive segment (shared-use path vs. cycle track/two-way bike lane) has not been determined.
What members have said
At the January 28, 2025 meeting, Councilmember Hall inquired about the scheduled GST presentation and requested that the cost of canceling the project be included. Hall voted against the June 2025 motion to reaffirm the full project as designed, and also voted against the December 2025 supplemental appropriation introduction (abstaining) and against the January 2026 supplemental appropriation. Hall voted yes on the April 2025 motion not to advertise the project in its current configuration.
Councilmember Peterson noted at the March 25, 2025 meeting that the Council was working toward a permanent resolution. Peterson was the sole vote in favor of the June 2025 substitute motion to cancel the project entirely. Peterson also opposed the December 2025 supplemental appropriation introduction and the January 2026 supplemental appropriation.
At the March 11, 2025 work session, Councilmember Bates stated support for canceling the Country Club Hills Connector Trail and moving the Pickett Road Connector Trail to the west side. Bates attended a VDOT meeting on the GST in late March 2025 alongside Councilmember Peterson. In June 2025, Bates was the sole vote in favor of the hybrid western-half option. At the May 2026 Wilcoxon Trail Extension briefing, Bates thanked staff for their proactive approach, clarified that the Wilcoxon Trail Extension was formerly the George Snyder Trail extension project, and expressed hope for a future connection to Chambers Road and the I-66 trail.
At the May 27, 2025 work session, Councilmember Amos requested that related financial information be provided via email rather than presented at the next meeting. Amos voted yes to reaffirm the full project in June 2025 and yes to introduce the supplemental appropriation in December 2025, but voted no on the January 2026 supplemental appropriation.
Councilmember Hardy-Chandler voted yes to reaffirm the full project in June 2025 and yes to introduce the supplemental appropriation in December 2025, but voted no on the January 2026 supplemental appropriation. At a June 2026 discussion, Hardy-Chandler was noted as having pointed out the importance of using all boards and commissions in planning connectivity.
Councilmember McQuillen voted yes to reaffirm the full project in June 2025 but opposed both the introduction of the supplemental appropriation in December 2025 and the appropriation itself in January 2026.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
Discussion time
Minutes of named discussion per transcribed meeting.
Full history
[6a] A 600-sf buffer of new plantings near the George Snyder Trail and a 6-ft wide pathway linking Fairfax Boulevard to the trail were included in the revised proposal.
passedMotion by Ms. Lockhart, seconded by Mr. Coleman, to recommend City Council adopt the attached resolution approving the GDP amendment for ABTB Mid-Atlantic, LLC at 10120 and 10140-10160 Fairfax Boulevard (Tax Map Parcels 47-4-23-000-A and 47-4-23-000-D).✓ Feather✓ Briggs✓ Coleman✓ Cunningham✓ Denton✓ Lockhart✓ Rice[6] Multiple residents spoke in opposition to the George Snyder Trail during public comment. [9] Douglas Willard spoke in opposition to the George Snyder Trail during the second public comment period.
[15] Councilmember Hall inquired about the George Snyder Trail presentation; City Clerk Shinaberry confirmed it is scheduled for March 11, 2025. Councilmember Hall requested that the cost of canceling the project be included in the future presentation.
[10a] Council received a discussion and update on the George Snyder Trail project during the work session; no formal action was taken, but significant public opposition was expressed and council members requested further discussion.
[10] George Snyder Trail was the subject of a City Council work session on March 11, 2025, as reported by staff.
[14] Councilmember Peterson noted the Council is working toward a permanent resolution; the Mayor confirmed that Councilmembers Peterson and Bates would attend an upcoming meeting with VDOT and city staff to discuss the project.
[4a] Council unanimously voted not to advertise the George Snyder Trail project in its current configuration and directed staff to explore modifications; VDOT has set a December 31, 2025 deadline to advertise for construction.
passedMotion that the City shall not advertise the George Snyder Trail project in its current proposed configuration and that City staff be directed to work with the City Council on exploring possible modifications, noting a VDOT deadline of December 31, 2025 to advertise for construction.✓ Amos✓ Bates✓ Hall✓ Hardy-Chandler✓ McQuillen✓ Peterson[1e] A revised alignment concept sketch was discussed during the work session, leading to Council action under item 4a. [4a] Council approved 6-0 that the city submit the concept sketch revising the proposed alignment for the George Snyder Trail to VDOT for their review.
[12f] Work session discussion and update on the new proposed alignment for the George Snyder Trail was rescheduled to May 27, 2025; multiple residents spoke during public comment in opposition to and in support of the project.
[13c] The trail was discussed extensively in a work session and drew large public comment (predominantly in opposition). Four councilmembers reached consensus to direct staff to ask VDOT whether building only the western half of the trail is still an option; financial repayment structure information was requested via email. No vote to cancel or proceed was taken at this meeting.
[1b] An update on the George Snyder Trail project was presented to City Council during the work session. No vote or formal action was taken.
[9a] Council adopted Resolution R-25-20 (4-2) reaffirming previous approval of the George Snyder Trail Project (VDOT UPC 112816) as designed in its entirety; motions to build only the western half or to cancel the project both failed.
failedAdopt a resolution to modify the George Snyder Trail Project (VDOT UPC 112816) to remove segments east of Fair Woods Parkway (segments B, C, and D) and construct segment A1 only (hybrid/western half option), with understanding that repayment of project expenditures for removed segments will be required.✓ Bates✕ Amos✕ Hall✕ Hardy-Chandler✕ McQuillen✕ PetersonfailedSubstitute motion: Adopt a resolution to cancel the George Snyder Trail Project (VDOT UPC 112816) in its entirety, with full repayment of project expenditures (estimated at $3.7 million) and identification of financing and savings to cover repayment.✓ Peterson✕ Amos✕ Bates✕ Hall✕ Hardy-Chandler✕ McQuillenpassedAdopt Resolution R-25-20 to reaffirm previous approval of the George Snyder Trail Project (VDOT UPC 112816) as designed.✓ Amos✓ Bates✓ Hardy-Chandler✓ McQuillen✕ Hall✕ Peterson[7] City Council held a work session on the George Snyder Trail at the June 3, 2025 meeting, as reported by staff.
[10] An update on the George Snyder Trail Project was scheduled to be presented at the October 28, 2025 City Council meeting.
[12d] Status update on the George Snyder Trail presented during the work session. Multiple members of the public spoke in opposition during the general public comment periods; no formal action was taken at this meeting.
[1c] A follow-up discussion on the George Snyder Trail was held at this work session; no formal action or vote was recorded.
[6i] The Council approved introduction of a $4,600,000 supplemental appropriation resolution from Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Concession Funding for the George Snyder Trail, with the first reading waived and a public hearing set for January 13, 2026. The city previously received $20.6 million in concessionaire funding and construction bids exceeded the remaining $16 million budget by $4.6 million.
passedIntroduce the supplemental appropriation resolution of $4,600,000 from Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Concession Funding for the George Snyder Trail, waive the first reading, and set the public hearing for January 13, 2026.✓ Amos✓ Bates– Hall✓ Hardy-Chandler✕ McQuillen✕ Peterson[9] City Council was noted as scheduled to consider additional funds and a contract award for the George Snyder Trail on January 13, 2026.
[7e] The motion to approve a $4.6 million supplemental appropriation to cover construction bids exceeding the remaining $16 million project budget failed 3-3. [9a] Following the failed supplemental appropriation vote, the City Council voted 4-2 to cancel the George Snyder Trail Project in its entirety.
failedApprove the supplemental appropriation resolution in the amount of $4,600,000 from Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Concession Funding for the George Snyder Trail✓ Amos✓ Bates✕ Hall✓ Hardy-Chandler✕ McQuillen✕ Peterson[11a] The George Snyder Trail project's associated shared-use path component, funded by approximately $9.5 million in FY26 Smart Scale funding, is being reconceived as the Wilcoxon Trail Extension with an alternative alignment under study.
Discussed alongside
Topics that come up in the same meetings.