George Snyder Trail
deniedSummary
The George Snyder Trail was a proposed shared-use path project (VDOT UPC 112816) intended to improve multimodal connectivity along Fairfax Boulevard, connecting various trails in the City of Fairfax. The project received $20.6 million in I-66 Outside the Beltway concessionaire funding. An early related milestone occurred in September 2024, when the Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of a GDP amendment for a nearby shopping center that included a 600-sf buffer of new plantings near the trail and a 6-ft wide pathway linking Fairfax Boulevard to the trail. The trail itself faced sustained and significant public opposition beginning in early 2025. On April 8, 2025, Council voted 6-0 not to advertise the project in its current configuration and directed staff to explore modifications, subject to a VDOT construction-advertising deadline of December 31, 2025. After a series of work sessions and failed alternative motions (including a hybrid western-half-only option and outright cancellation), Council adopted Resolution R-25-20 on June 10, 2025 (4-2), reaffirming the full project as designed. However, construction bids came in $4.6 million over the remaining $16 million budget, and a supplemental appropriation of $4.6 million from Transform 66 concessionaire funding introduced in December 2025 failed on a 3-3 tie vote on January 13, 2026. Immediately following that failed vote, Council voted 4-2 to cancel the George Snyder Trail Project in its entirety. Subsequently, the associated shared-use path component — approximately $9.5 million in FY26 Smart Scale funding — is being reconceived as the Wilcoxon Trail Extension with an alternative alignment utilizing Draper Drive and Beach Drive, which Council gave consensus to study on May 26, 2026.
Open questions & options on the table
- The Wilcoxon Trail Extension feasibility study and public outreach process is underway but not yet complete; the preferred alignment and design (e.g., shared-use path vs. cycle track on Draper Drive) have not been finalized.
- VDOT must concur with the proposed alignment modification to the Smart Scale-funded Wilcoxon Trail Extension project before it can proceed; that review is ongoing.
- Broader connectivity gaps left by the trail's cancellation — including potential connections toward Cardinal Road, Fairwoods Parkway Neighborway, and Fairfax Circle — remain unresolved, with staff noted as actively working on alternatives including shared-use paths on Eaton Place.
Recent updates
[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.
[7e] The $4,600,000 supplemental appropriation resolution for the George Snyder Trail, funded through Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Concession Funding, failed on a 3-3 tie vote. [9a] Following the failed funding vote on item 7e, the City Council voted 4-2 to adopt a resolution cancelling the George Snyder Trail Project (VDOT UPC 112816) in its entirety.
What members have said
On January 28, 2025, Councilmember Hall inquired about the George Snyder Trail presentation and requested that the cost of canceling the project be included. On June 10, 2025, Hall voted against both the hybrid western-half option and the full-project reaffirmation (R-25-20). On January 13, 2026, Hall voted against the $4.6 million supplemental appropriation.
On May 27, 2025, Peterson sought a CFO repayment structure analysis for the potential $3.7M VDOT repayment if the project were canceled. On June 10, 2025, Peterson was the sole vote for outright cancellation, and voted against reaffirming the full project (R-25-20). On January 13, 2026, Peterson voted against the $4.6 million supplemental appropriation.
At the March 11, 2025 work session, Bates stated his support for canceling the Country Club Hills Connector Trail and moving the Pickett Road Connector Trail to the west side. On March 25, 2025, Bates was confirmed to attend an upcoming VDOT meeting with Peterson to discuss the George Snyder Trail. On June 10, 2025, Bates was the sole vote for the hybrid western-half-only option; he voted in favor of reaffirming the full project (R-25-20) and in favor of the $4.6M supplemental appropriation on January 13, 2026.
On May 27, 2025, Amos indicated that the CFO repayment structure analysis should wait until a cancellation decision is made. Amos voted in favor of reaffirming the full project (R-25-20) on June 10, 2025, and in favor of the $4.6M supplemental appropriation on January 13, 2026.
McQuillen voted against the $4.6M supplemental appropriation at both its introduction (December 9, 2025) and the public hearing (January 13, 2026), and voted against reaffirming the full project (R-25-20) on June 10, 2025.
Hardy-Chandler voted in favor of reaffirming the full project (R-25-20) on June 10, 2025, and in favor of the $4.6M supplemental appropriation on both December 9, 2025 and January 13, 2026. At a later date (June 23, 2026), Hardy-Chandler was noted as having pointed out the need to use all boards and commissions in the context of ongoing connectivity discussions.
On March 25, 2025, Peterson noted the Council is working toward a permanent resolution on the George Snyder Trail project.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
Full history
- Sep 9, 2024Planning Commission · item 6a
[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.
- Jan 14, 2025City Council · item 6
[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.
[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 Council discussed the George Snyder Trail at length in the work session and during Council Comments. A consensus of four Councilmembers directed staff to ask VDOT whether a western-half-only construction option is still available. Councilmember Peterson sought a CFO repayment structure analysis for the potential $3.7M VDOT repayment, but no formal consensus was reached on that request; Councilmember Amos indicated the matter should wait until a cancellation decision is made. Significant public opposition to the trail was expressed during both public comment periods.
[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.
- Jun 23, 2025Planning Commission · item 7
[7] City Council held a work session on the George Snyder Trail at the June 3, 2025 meeting, as reported by staff.
[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.
- Nov 4, 2025City Council · item 1c
[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.
- Jan 12, 2026Planning Commission · item 9
[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 $4,600,000 supplemental appropriation resolution for the George Snyder Trail, funded through Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Concession Funding, failed on a 3-3 tie vote. [9a] Following the failed funding vote on item 7e, the City Council voted 4-2 to adopt a resolution cancelling the George Snyder Trail Project (VDOT UPC 112816) in its entirety.
- May 26, 2026City Council · item 11a
[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.