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Project · on the record since 2024 · discussed in 5 transcribed meetings

Willard-Sherwood Community Center

The Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center is a joint City of Fairfax and Fairfax County project to redevelop the Willard Health Center and Stacy C. 13 separate matters touch this project; each has its own status.

Official city record

City Project

Fairfax City & Fairfax County are redeveloping the Joseph Willard Health Center and Stacy C. Sherwood Center sites into a single destination for health, wellness, fitness, and child care. Located at Layton Hall Drive and Blenheim Boulevard, the new Willard-Sherwood Health & Community Center will provide integrated city- and county-operated community, health, and human services to all residents.

Location: 3750 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, VA 22030
Project page →View city project page
in progress

The Blenheim Boulevard Multimodal Improvements Project (UPC-107013) is a city transportation corridor upgrade adding walking and biking infrastructure, benches, and an amphitheater, running from Blenheim Hall Drive to Ridge Avenue. The project has been in planning and design for several years, with construction expected to begin in 2025 per early-year projections; utility relocation was underway as of March 2026, with construction start revised to later in 2026 or early 2027.

Private Development · Under Review

Courthouse Plaza

in progress

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.

Private Development · Under Review

Gallery at City Center

in progress

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.

in progress

The Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center at 3740 Blenheim Boulevard is a City of Fairfax facility that has served as a venue for community events and, more significantly, as the anchor site for the broader Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center project.

  • Oct 14, 2025City Council · item 7aapproved
    Public hearing and Council action – Special Use Permit, special exceptions, and Certificate of Appropriateness for Health and Community Center at 3740 Blenheim Boulevard (Tax Map 57-2-02-175A) – City of Fairfax applicant

    Council approved the Special Use Permit for expanded government use, two special exceptions, and a Certificate of Appropriateness for the joint City-County Health and Community Center redevelopment at 3740 Blenheim Boulevard.

    passedApprove Special Use Permit for expanded government use in RM district at 3740 Blenheim Boulevard (Tax Map 57-2-02-175A).
    ✓ Read✓ Amos✓ Bates✕ Hall✓ Hardy-Chandler✕ McQuillen✕ Peterson
    passedAdopt resolution approving two special exceptions (required side yard modification and parking reduction) at 3740 Blenheim Boulevard (Tax Map 57-2-02-175A).
    ✓ Read✓ Amos✓ Bates✕ Hall✓ Hardy-Chandler✕ McQuillen✕ Peterson
    passedApprove Certificate of Appropriateness for architecture and landscaping at 3740 Blenheim Boulevard (Tax Map 57-2-02-175A).
    ✓ Read✓ Amos✓ Bates✕ Hall✓ Hardy-Chandler✓ McQuillen✕ Peterson
    minutesagenda
  • Apr 28, 2026City Council · item 9bapproved
    Resolution to proceed with the Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center project (R-26-13)

    Council unanimously adopted R-26-13 authorizing the project to proceed to construction; the optional performing arts space renovation at the existing Sherwood Community Center was excluded and will not proceed at this time.

    passedAdopt resolution (R-26-13) authorizing the Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center Project to proceed to construction, excluding the optional performing arts space renovation, and adopting amendments to the Joint Development Agreement with Fairfax County.
    ✓ Amos✓ Bates✓ Hall✓ Hardy-Chandler✓ McQuillen✓ Peterson
    minutesagenda
approved

The FY2027–FY2031 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is the City's five-year capital spending plan covering fiscal years 2027 through 2031. The review process began in October 2025, when Planning Commission staff introduced the upcoming CIP review cycle.

  • Feb 9, 2026Planning Commission · item 6a
    Consideration of a recommendation to the City Council on the Proposed Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal Year 2027 to Fiscal Year 2031

    The Willard-Sherwood project was cited by commissioners during CIP discussion as a significant capital priority; a work session on the project was also noted as scheduled for City Council the following evening.

    passedMotion to adopt Resolution PC-26-01 as shown in Attachment 1, recommending City Council approve the Capital Improvement Program FY2027–FY2031 as proposed, subject to the considerations discussed.
    ✓ Feather✓ Cunningham✓ Lockhart✓ McCarthy✓ Rice
    Watch this momentminutesagenda
completed

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.

denied

The George Snyder Trail was a planned shared-use trail project (VDOT UPC 112816) in the City of Fairfax intended to improve multimodal connectivity. The project drew sustained and significant public opposition throughout 2025 and into 2026.

approved

The City of Fairfax's Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) 5-Year Update is a long-term planning document covering a twenty-year horizon, required by state code to be updated every five years; the previous update was completed in 2021. Work on the update was underway by at least July 2025, with a public meeting held on November 20, 2025, at Katherine Johnson Middle School Library and a community survey open through the end of 2025.

in progress

The Northfax East-West Roadway is a City of Falls Church infrastructure project involving construction of a new east-west roadway between Chain Bridge Road and University Drive Extension. The project is being pursued through VDOT's Revenue Sharing Funding program, which requires a local match.

in progress

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.

approved

The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for Fiscal Years 2026–2030 is a multi-year municipal capital planning document covering infrastructure and facility investments. The process began in September 2024 when Superintendent Platenberg presented a draft to the School Board in work session, with a formal School Board presentation planned for October 4, 2024.

  • May 6, 2025City Council · item 3eapproved
    Consideration and appropriation of the FY 2026 Budget, Schedule of Rates and Levies, FY 2026–2030 Capital Improvement Program, and establishment of Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Rates

    An amendment to defer the Willard-Sherwood community center expansion to the FY 2027 budget failed 3-3; the project remains funded in the FY 2026–2030 CIP as adopted.

    failedMotion to defer consideration and appropriation of the FY 2026 budget to a date certain of May 13, 2025.
    ✓ McQuillen✓ Hall✓ Peterson✕ Read✕ Bates✕ Hardy-Chandler✕ Amos
    failedAmendment to set the real estate tax rate at $1.75 (resulting in reductions of approximately $500,000 for pay study implementation, $188,000 for merit increase, and ~$100,000 in nonprofit funding).
    ✓ McQuillen✓ Hall✓ Peterson✕ Bates✕ Amos✕ Hardy-Chandler
    failedAmendment to defer the Willard-Sherwood community center expansion to the FY 2027 budget.
    ✓ McQuillen✓ Hall✓ Peterson✕ Bates✕ Amos✕ Hardy-Chandler
    failedAmendment to implement 50% of the pay study in FY 2026 and 50% in FY 2027.
    ✓ McQuillen✓ Hall✓ Peterson✕ Bates✕ Amos✕ Hardy-Chandler
    passedAmendment to incorporate all changes included in the Budget Change Document (Attachment I, previously published) into the main budget motion.
    ✓ Read✓ Amos✓ Bates✓ Hardy-Chandler✕ Hall✕ McQuillen✕ Peterson
    failedMotion to set the real estate tax rate at $1.0550 per $100 of assessed value, personal property and machinery and tools tax rate at $4.13 per $100 of assessed value, and personal property tax rate at $0.01 per $100 for qualifying volunteer fire/rescue members, effective January 1, 2025 (first vote).
    ✓ Bates✓ Amos✓ Hardy-Chandler✕ McQuillen✕ Hall✕ Peterson
    passedMotion to set the real estate tax rate at $1.0550 per $100 of assessed value, personal property and machinery and tools tax rate at $4.13 per $100 of assessed value, and personal property tax rate at $0.01 per $100 for qualifying volunteer fire/rescue members, effective January 1, 2025 (second vote).
    ✓ Amos✓ Bates✓ Hall✓ Hardy-Chandler✓ McQuillen✓ Peterson
    passedMain motion to adopt the FY 2026 Budget (all funds), FY 2026 Schedule of Rates and Levies, FY 2026–2030 Capital Improvement Program, FY 2026 health benefit contribution rates, 2.0% merit increase effective January 1, 2026 for eligible general scale employees, and programmed annual step increase for public safety employees, as amended by the Budget Change Document.
    ✓ Amos✓ Bates✓ Hall✓ Hardy-Chandler✓ McQuillen✓ Peterson
    passedMotion to approve appropriation resolutions R-25-10 (General), R-25-11 (Capital), R-25-12 (Wastewater), R-25-13 (Transit), R-25-14 (Stormwater Utility), R-25-15 (Cable), R-25-16 (Old Town), R-25-17 (Transportation Tax), R-25-18 (ARPA), and R-25-19 (Debt Service) for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025.
    ✓ Amos✓ Bates✓ Hall✓ Hardy-Chandler✓ McQuillen✓ Peterson
    Watch this momentminutesagenda
in progress

The Fire Station project in the City of Fairfax involves improvements to Fire Station 3 and the planned construction of a new fire station on University Drive. On November 12, 2024, the City Council unanimously adopted Resolution R-24-32 (6-0) authorizing the City of Fairfax Economic Development Authority to issue revenue bonds up to $54,500,000 for general government capital projects, with the fire station listed as an anticipated capital expenditure.

  • Nov 12, 2024City Council · item 11a
    Resolution Requesting Issuance of Revenue Bonds by the City of Fairfax Economic Development Authority – Up to $54,500,000

    Listed as an anticipated capital expenditure to be funded through the $54.5M revenue bond issuance.

    passedAdoption of Resolution R-24-32 requesting the City of Fairfax Economic Development Authority to issue revenue bonds up to $54,500,000 for general government capital project costs.
    ✓ Bates✓ Doyle Feingold✓ Greenfield✓ Lim✓ Ross✓ Stehle
    Watch this momentminutesagenda
in progress
  • Sep 9, 2024Planning Commission · item 10in progress
    Staff Report

    City Council received an update on the Willard Sherwood Health and Community Center project at its September 3, 2024 meeting; Chair Feather noted he expressed to Council the importance of the facility's connection to comprehensive plan goals.

    Watch this momentminutesagenda
Other mentions
  • Sep 3, 2024City Council · item 1ain progress
    Discussion and Update on the Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center Project

    Council received a discussion and update on the Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center project; no formal action was taken.

    Watch this momentagenda
  • Apr 22, 2025City Council · item 1cin progress
    Work Session: Discussion and update on Willard-Sherwood development

    Staff provided an update on the Willard-Sherwood development during the work session. No formal action was taken.

    Watch this momentminutesagenda
  • Jun 10, 2025City Council · item 11ain progress
    Presentation on land use applications for the Willard-Sherwood Health & Community Center at 3740 and 3750 Blenheim Boulevard (Work Session)

    Land use applications for the joint-use City of Fairfax and Fairfax County health, wellness and recreation facility at 3740 and 3750 Blenheim Boulevard were presented during the work session; no formal action was taken.

    Watch this momentminutesagenda
  • Feb 10, 2026City Council · item 11bin progress
    Update and discussion on the joint City/County redevelopment of the Sherwood Community Center and Willard Health Center Complex

    Community Development Director Brooke Hardin reported the project is currently in site and building plan review with contractor pricing received; no Council action was taken.

    minutesagenda
  • Feb 24, 2026City Council · item 5
    Initial General Public Comment Period

    Seven members of the public, including a representative of the Green Acres Senior Center Senior Council and the Chair of the City of Fairfax School Board, addressed the City Council in support of the Willard-Sherwood Community Center project.

    Watch this momentminutesagenda
  • Mar 24, 2026City Council · item 5 & 8
    General Public Comment Periods

    [5 & 8] Numerous residents and Jennifer Rose, Executive Director of the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, spoke in support of the Willard-Sherwood Community Center project during the general public comment periods.

    minutesagenda
  • Apr 14, 2026City Council · item 12ain progress
    Work Session: Discussion on the proposed FY 2027 budget, City Council identified topics

    Multiple community members spoke in support of the Willard-Sherwood Community Center project during public comment periods, and one speaker requested funding be included in the FY27 budget.

    minutesagenda

In full

Sherwood Community Center sites at 3740 and 3750 Blenheim Boulevard into a new shared health, wellness, and recreation facility. The project has been in active development since at least mid-2024, when the City Council received an initial update. Key milestones include the November 2024 unanimous approval of up to $54.5 million in EDA revenue bonds to help finance the project, October 2025 Council approval of the necessary land use entitlements (Special Use Permit, special exceptions, and Certificate of Appropriateness), and the project's continued inclusion in the FY 2026–2030 Capital Improvement Program despite a failed May 2025 amendment that would have deferred it to FY 2027.

As of February 2026, the project was in site and building plan review with contractor pricing received. On April 28, 2026, the Council unanimously adopted Resolution R-26-13 authorizing the project to proceed to construction, though the optional performing arts space renovation at the existing Sherwood Community Center was excluded and will not move forward at this time. The project has drawn sustained and broad public support throughout the process.