Old Town
Old Town is a historic district and activity center within the City of Fairfax that has been the subject of multiple overlapping municipal initiatives spanning security, parks infrastructure, parking and circulation, zoning, and small area planning. 7 separate matters touch this place; each has its own status.
Gallery at City Center
Gallery at City Center is a proposed mixed-use development by Christopher Land, LLC at 4085–4117 Chain Bridge Road (also referenced as 4085, 4101, and 4103 Chain Bridge Road) in Old Town, Fairfax City, on approximately 2.52 acres. The project as briefed includes approximately 257 multifamily units, 7,395 sq ft of retail, 26,391 sq ft of office space, structured/subterranean parking, a proposed east-west road connecting University Drive to Chain Bridge Road, and a north-south pedestrian pathway.
- Jun 11, 2026Parks and Recreation Advisory Board · item 5dStakeholder Updates – Planning Commission
Old Town was identified as the location for the Gallery at City Center submission reviewed by the Planning Commission.
Willard Sherwood
The Willard Sherwood Health and Community Center (WSHCC) is a proposed health and community center project in the City of Fairfax, closely associated with senior services and intended to replace or supplement the aging Green Acres facility. The project faced an early setback in April 2025 when PRAB was informed it might not continue due to staffing and security concerns, with all trails-related work paused pending a City Council presentation on April 22, 2025.
- Feb 12, 2026Parks and Recreation Advisory Board · item 5dStakeholder Update – Planning Commission
Old Town was designated by the Planning Commission as one of five activity centers requiring special attention and zoning review for mixed-use development.
- Apr 9, 2026Parks and Recreation Advisory Board · item 5Stakeholder Updates
An Art Walk is planned for May 3rd in Old Town Fairfax.
Pat Rodio Park
Pat Rodio Park is a municipal park that has been undergoing a playground relocation and broader redevelopment effort. As of October 2024, staff identified that the playground needed to be moved to a new location; by November 2024, a relocation site had been identified and public outreach was planned.
- Apr 9, 2026Parks and Recreation Advisory Board · item 5Stakeholder Updates
An Art Walk is planned for May 3rd in Old Town Fairfax.
The Fairfax Circle Small Area Plan is one of four Activity Center Small Area Plans adopted by the City of Fairfax. Plan development began in Spring 2023.
- Discussion of Next Steps
Old Town was referenced in the context of the Planning Commission's February 9, 2026 discussion about the need for a cohesive framework to evaluate development proposals in relation to the City's goals for the character, scale, and vision of Old Town and downtown areas.
The City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Plan is the city's primary long-range land use and policy document, guiding development, housing, transportation, and related decisions. A five-year review process culminated on October 8, 2024, when City Council unanimously adopted Resolution R-24-30 approving the updated plan dated September 27, 2024.
- Discussion of Next Steps
Old Town was referenced in the context of the Planning Commission's February 9, 2026 discussion about the need for a cohesive framework to evaluate development proposals in relation to the City's goals for the character, scale, and vision of Old Town and downtown areas.
Courthouse Plaza
Courthouse Plaza (10300 Willard Way, with associated parcel at 3922 Blenheim Boulevard) is a shopping center redevelopment proposal in the City of Fairfax, pursued by Combined Courthouse, LLC. The project has gone through two distinct application cycles.
- Feb 12, 2026Parks and Recreation Advisory Board · item 5dStakeholder Update – Planning Commission
Old Town was designated by the Planning Commission as one of five activity centers requiring special attention and zoning review for mixed-use development.
Old Town Parking Study
The Old Town Parking Study is a city-commissioned analysis examining parking supply, demand, and utilization in and around Old Town Fairfax City. The study's field analysis was conducted in fall 2024, and it was completed in 2025.
- Jun 3, 2025City Council · item 1cPresentation on the Old Town Parking Study
The Old Town area of the City of Fairfax was the subject of a parking study presentation at this work session.
- Oct 8, 2024City Council · item 10bDiscussion of security pilot initiatives to address community concerns of safety
Old Town was identified as a location where the Police Department proposed hiring security guard support using Old Town Service District funds as a pilot effort.
- Oct 10, 2024Parks and Recreation Advisory Board · item 6aSummary of Recent Council Meeting Actions Pertaining to Parks and Recreation
Old Town Square is included in the proposed trial period of private security, along with security cameras, safety lighting, and blue light boxes.
- OTH/OTS – Update
Old Town Storefront (OTS) is awaiting permits and resolution of a contractor insurance issue; all materials are on site.
- Apr 10, 2025Parks and Recreation Advisory Board · item 6bOTH/OTS – Update
The Old Town Splash Pad is under renovation; cannons are being installed next week and the project is expected to be completed before the Asian Festival.
- Old Business – OTH/OTS Update
The OTH/OTS Splash Pad is expected to open by the first week of July; OTH is slated to go before City Council in July. Old Town Square was noted as the venue for the June 14th Juneteenth celebration.
- Old Business – OTH/OTS Update
The Old Town Splash Pad's chemical pump was replaced after failing; the Splash Pad will close soon for the season, and the cascade fountain will be lit pink for breast cancer awareness.
- Mar 12, 2026Parks and Recreation Advisory Board · item 5aStakeholder Update – Commission on the Arts
Old Town Fairfax is the planned location for the COA and Spotlight on the Arts Art Walk on May 3rd.
- Jun 8, 2026Planning Commission · item 8bDiscussion of a potential review and update to the adopted small area plans for Old Town, Northfax, Kamp Washington, and Fairfax Circle
Identified as one of the areas whose small area plan may be reviewed and updated.
- Jun 23, 2026City Council · item 11aDiscussion of potential reviews and updates to adopted Small Area Plans for Old Town, Northfax, Kamp Washington, and Fairfax Circle
Old Town was identified as one of four areas with adopted Small Area Plans under potential review and update discussion.
In full
Beginning in late 2024, the area was included in a security pilot program involving private security guards, cameras, safety lighting, and blue light boxes at parks including Old Town Square. Concurrently, Old Town Hall (OTH) and Old Town Storefront (OTS) underwent renovation: OTH construction was underway by fall 2025, and the Old Town Splash Pad completed a renovation and opened by early July 2025. On the planning side, the Planning Commission designated Old Town as one of five activity centers requiring special zoning review for mixed-use development (February 2026), and both the Planning Commission (June 2026) and City Council (June 2026) held work sessions on potentially reviewing and updating Old Town's adopted Small Area Plan.
A parking study was presented to Council in June 2025, with a sub-consultant (Walker Consultants) having conducted on-the-ground evaluation; findings suggest parking enforcement — rather than supply — is the core issue. The Move Fairfax City initiative bundles a citywide pedestrian master plan, a safety action plan, and an Old Town Circulation Study; as of October 2026, the first two components are being finalized while the Old Town Circulation Study is expected to be completed in 2027. A new zoning district proposal intersects with Old Town's historic overlay district and transition overlay district, with a public hearing schedule set for fall 2026.
The Gallery at City Center, a mixed commercial/residential development with subterranean parking, was submitted for Planning Commission review in June 2026.