Old Town Parking Study

The Old Town Parking Study is a city-commissioned project that analyzed parking utilization across Old Town, with field observations conducted by a consultant in the fall of 2024. The study's primary purpose was to evaluate how upcoming specific redevelopments in Old Town would impact parking in the area, though it yielded broad data on parking utilization across lots, retail centers, and office properties throughout the district. A presentation on the study was delivered to City Council during a work session on June 3, 2025, with no formal action taken. Staff noted to the Planning Commission on June 23, 2025 that the study's results would serve as a reference for future decisions, particularly related to the small area plan. The study was subsequently completed in 2025, with its key finding being that no additional parking structure is needed in Old Town and that future demand should instead be accommodated through shared parking. Study data — including peak utilization rates for retail centers (Main Street Marketplace and Courthouse Plaza, at roughly 2–2.5 spaces per 1,000 sq ft) and office properties around Old Town — was being actively referenced in parking standards discussions as of March 2026.

In this wiki

• Meeting history — every action, vote, and update, with links to the moment in the meeting video
• Positions & open questions

2025-06-03 — City Council Work Session

Agenda item 1c: Presentation on the Old Town Parking Study (watch the moment)

• Outcome: Presentation delivered to Council during the work session. No vote or formal action recorded.
• [1c] A presentation on the Old Town Parking Study was delivered to City Council during the work session. No vote or formal action was taken.
• Status after: in_progress

2025-06-23 — Planning Commission Regular Meeting

Agenda item 7: Staff Report (watch the moment)

• Outcome: Staff provided informational updates on recent and upcoming City Council meetings and planning activities. No action taken.
• [7] City Council held a work session on the Old Town Parking Study at the June 3, 2025 meeting, as reported by staff.

Open questions

• The study's results are intended to inform future decisions related to the Old Town small area plan — those downstream planning decisions remain pending.
• The Old Town Circulation Study, described as part of the Move Fairfax City plan, was noted as underway as of July 28, 2025; its status and relationship to the parking study findings are not yet resolved in the record.

Member commentary

No recorded member positions yet.