Willard-Sherwood Community Center

The Willard-Sherwood Community Center expansion/rebuild is a major capital project for the City of Fairfax. In November 2024, City Council unanimously approved Resolution R-24-32 authorizing the City of Fairfax Economic Development Authority to issue revenue bonds up to $54,500,000 to finance general government capital projects, with Willard-Sherwood listed as an anticipated expenditure. The project was included in the FY 2026–2030 Capital Improvement Program adopted in May 2025; a council amendment to defer it to the FY 2027 budget failed 3-3. City Council held a work session on a potential land use request for the site on June 10, 2025, and on October 14, 2025 approved a Special Use Permit (with separate actions on a city application and a Fairfax County application heard jointly). The Planning Commission cited the project as a significant capital priority during its February 2026 CIP review, noting a City Council work session on the project was scheduled for the following evening. City Council voted to proceed with the project at its April 28, 2026 meeting, as reported by Planning Commission staff in May 2026. Public support has been substantial and consistent, with speakers at multiple meetings in 2026 including the Chair of the City of Fairfax School Board, the Executive Director of the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, and representatives of the Green Acres Senior Center Senior Council.

In this wiki

• Meeting history — every action, vote, and update, with links to the moment in the meeting video
• Positions & open questions
• Documents — the city's published record for this project

2024-09-03 — City Council Work Session

Agenda item 1a: Discussion and Update on the Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center Project (watch the moment)

• Outcome: Item was discussed during the work session. No formal action or vote was recorded.
• [1a] Council received a discussion and update on the Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center project; no formal action was taken.
• Status after: in_progress

2024-09-09 — Planning Commission Regular Meeting/Work Session

Agenda item 10: Staff Report (watch the moment)

• Outcome: Staff reported on recent and upcoming City Council actions and planning-related items.
• [10] 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.
• Status after: in_progress

2024-11-12 — City Council Meeting

Agenda item 11a: Resolution Requesting Issuance of Revenue Bonds by the City of Fairfax Economic Development Authority – Up to $54,500,000 (watch the moment)

• Outcome: Approved unanimously (6-0). Resolution R-24-32 adopted requesting the EDA to issue revenue bonds up to $54,500,000 to finance general government capital project costs.
• Vote (passed): Adoption 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: yes, Doyle Feingold: yes, Greenfield: yes, Lim: yes, Ross: yes, Stehle: yes
• [11a] Listed as an anticipated capital expenditure to be funded through the $54.5M revenue bond issuance.

2025-04-22 — City Council Work Session and Regular Meeting

Agenda item 1c: Work Session: Discussion and update on Willard-Sherwood development (watch the moment)

• Outcome: Discussed in work session. No formal action taken.
• [1c] Staff provided an update on the Willard-Sherwood development during the work session. No formal action was taken.
• Status after: in_progress

2025-05-06 — City Council Special Meeting

Agenda item 3e: 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 (watch the moment)

• Outcome: After a failed motion to defer to May 13 and three failed amendments, the FY 2026 Budget was adopted unanimously 6-0. The Budget Change Document was incorporated 4-3. Tax rates were set unanimously 6-0. All FY26 fund appropriation resolutions (R-25-10 through R-25-19) were approved unanimously 6-0.
• Vote (failed): Motion to defer consideration and appropriation of the FY 2026 budget to a date certain of May 13, 2025. — McQuillen: yes, Hall: yes, Peterson: yes, Read: no, Bates: no, Hardy-Chandler: no, Amos: no
• Vote (failed): Amendment 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: yes, Hall: yes, Peterson: yes, Bates: no, Amos: no, Hardy-Chandler: no
• Vote (failed): Amendment to defer the Willard-Sherwood community center expansion to the FY 2027 budget. — McQuillen: yes, Hall: yes, Peterson: yes, Bates: no, Amos: no, Hardy-Chandler: no
• Vote (failed): Amendment to implement 50% of the pay study in FY 2026 and 50% in FY 2027. — McQuillen: yes, Hall: yes, Peterson: yes, Bates: no, Amos: no, Hardy-Chandler: no
• Vote (passed): Amendment to incorporate all changes included in the Budget Change Document (Attachment I, previously published) into the main budget motion. — Read: yes, Amos: yes, Bates: yes, Hardy-Chandler: yes, Hall: no, McQuillen: no, Peterson: no
• Vote (failed): Motion 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: yes, Amos: yes, Hardy-Chandler: yes, McQuillen: no, Hall: no, Peterson: no
• Vote (passed): Motion 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: yes, Bates: yes, Hall: yes, Hardy-Chandler: yes, McQuillen: yes, Peterson: yes
• Vote (passed): Main 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: yes, Bates: yes, Hall: yes, Hardy-Chandler: yes, McQuillen: yes, Peterson: yes
• Vote (passed): Motion 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: yes, Bates: yes, Hall: yes, Hardy-Chandler: yes, McQuillen: yes, Peterson: yes
• [3e] 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.
• Status after: approved

2025-06-10 — City Council Meeting

Agenda item 11a: Presentation on land use applications for the Willard-Sherwood Health & Community Center at 3740 and 3750 Blenheim Boulevard (Work Session) (watch the moment)

• Outcome: Presented in work session per the agenda and actions report. No formal vote recorded.
• [11a] 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.
• 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 a potential land use request for the Willard-Sherwood Community Center at the June 10, 2025 meeting, as reported by staff.

2025-10-14 — City Council Meeting

Agenda item 7a: 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

• Outcome: All motions approved. SUP for expanded government use (RM district): approved 4-3 (Hall, McQuillen, Peterson opposed). Two special exceptions: approved 4-3 (Hall, McQuillen, Peterson opposed). Certificate of Appropriateness: approved 4-2 (Hall and Peterson opposed).
• Vote (passed): Approve Special Use Permit for expanded government use in RM district at 3740 Blenheim Boulevard (Tax Map 57-2-02-175A). — Read: yes, Amos: yes, Bates: yes, Hall: no, Hardy-Chandler: yes, McQuillen: no, Peterson: no
• Vote (passed): Adopt resolution approving two special exceptions (required side yard modification and parking reduction) at 3740 Blenheim Boulevard (Tax Map 57-2-02-175A). — Read: yes, Amos: yes, Bates: yes, Hall: no, Hardy-Chandler: yes, McQuillen: no, Peterson: no
• Vote (passed): Approve Certificate of Appropriateness for architecture and landscaping at 3740 Blenheim Boulevard (Tax Map 57-2-02-175A). — Read: yes, Amos: yes, Bates: yes, Hall: no, Hardy-Chandler: yes, McQuillen: yes, Peterson: no
• [7a] 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.
• Status after: approved

2025-10-27 — Planning Commission Regular Meeting/Work Session

Agenda item 10: Staff Report (watch the moment)

• Outcome: Staff reported on several recent and upcoming items, including City Council actions, ongoing plans, and commission vacancies.
• [10] City Council approved the Special Use Permit for the Willard Sherwood Community Center at its October 14, 2025 meeting.
• Status after: approved

2026-02-09 — Planning Commission Regular Meeting/Work Session

Agenda item 6a: Consideration of a recommendation to the City Council on the Proposed Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal Year 2027 to Fiscal Year 2031 (watch the moment)

• Outcome: Planning Commission adopted resolution PC-26-01 and recommended City Council approve the Capital Improvement Program FY2027–FY2031 as proposed, subject to the considerations discussed at the meeting, 5:0.
• Vote (passed): Motion 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: yes, Cunningham: yes, Lockhart: yes, McCarthy: yes, Rice: yes
• [6a] 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.

2026-02-10 — City Council Meeting

Agenda item 11b: Update and discussion on the joint City/County redevelopment of the Sherwood Community Center and Willard Health Center Complex

• Outcome: Staff update presented; no Council action taken.
• [11b] 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.
• Status after: in_progress

2026-02-24 — City Council Meeting

Agenda item 5: Initial General Public Comment Period (watch the moment)

• Outcome: Seven members of the public spoke in support of the Willard-Sherwood Community Center project.
• [5] 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.

2026-03-24 — City Council Meeting

Agenda item 5 & 8: General Public Comment Periods

• Outcome: Multiple members of the public spoke. Prominent topics included strong support for the Willard-Sherwood Community Center project, support for the noise ordinance amendments, FY27 budget priorities including a Climate and Energy Manager position, and police compensation concerns.
• [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.

2026-04-14 — City Council Meeting

Agenda item 12a: Work Session: Discussion on the proposed FY 2027 budget, City Council identified topics

• Outcome: Work session held; no Council action taken. CFO J.C. Martinez presented a revenue update (BPOL changes, Transient Occupancy Tax, revised personal property revenue projection) and expense impact update (Wesley Housing Support tax grant, health insurance employer costs, personnel expense savings) and fund balance status review.
• [12a] 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.
• Status after: in_progress

2026-04-28 — City Council Meeting

Agenda item 9b: Resolution to proceed with the Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center project (R-26-13)

• Outcome: Approved unanimously (6-0). Resolution R-26-13 adopted authorizing the Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center Project to proceed to construction, excluding the optional performing arts space renovation at the existing Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, and adopting amendments to the Joint Development Agreement with Fairfax County.
• Vote (passed): Adopt 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: yes, Bates: yes, Hall: yes, Hardy-Chandler: yes, McQuillen: yes, Peterson: yes
• [9b] 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.
• Status after: approved

2026-05-11 — Planning Commission Regular Meeting/Work Session

Agenda item 10: Staff Report (watch the moment)

• Outcome: Staff reported on recent and upcoming City Council actions and future Planning Commission agenda items, including the Blenheim Boulevard Multimodal project contract, the Willard-Sherwood Community Center project, an upcoming ADU work session, and June Planning Commission items including post-application work sessions on Gallery at City Center and Courthouse Plaza redevelopment.
• [10] City Council voted to proceed with the Willard-Sherwood Community Center project at the April 28, 2026 meeting, as reported by staff.
• Status after: in_progress

Open questions

• Design, procurement, and construction timeline and milestones have not been detailed in the available record following the April 28, 2026 Council vote to proceed.
• The total project cost and its relationship to the $54.5M bond authorization have not been explicitly resolved in the record (a public commenter cited $58.5M as a repair cost figure, suggesting the new-build cost may differ).
• The project's inclusion and funding level in the FY 2027–2031 CIP, as recommended by the Planning Commission in February 2026, awaits formal City Council adoption of that CIP.

Member commentary

• McQuillen — Voted in favor of the May 2025 amendment to defer the Willard-Sherwood community center expansion to the FY 2027 budget, which failed 3-3.
• Hall — Voted in favor of the May 2025 amendment to defer the Willard-Sherwood community center expansion to the FY 2027 budget, which failed 3-3.
• Peterson — Voted in favor of the May 2025 amendment to defer the Willard-Sherwood community center expansion to the FY 2027 budget, which failed 3-3.
• Bates — Voted against the May 2025 amendment to defer the Willard-Sherwood community center expansion to the FY 2027 budget, keeping the project in the FY 2026 CIP; had also voted yes on the November 2024 bond resolution.
• Amos — Voted against the May 2025 amendment to defer the Willard-Sherwood community center expansion to the FY 2027 budget, keeping the project in the FY 2026 CIP.
• Hardy-Chandler — Voted against the May 2025 amendment to defer the Willard-Sherwood community center expansion to the FY 2027 budget, keeping the project in the FY 2026 CIP.

Documents published in the city's project record, in the order the city lists them. Labels are the city's own and usually carry the document date, format, and size.

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