Design work is progressing on a planned redevelopment that will combine Fairfax County’s Joseph Willard Health Center and Fairfax City’s Stacy Sherwood Community Center.
Staff working on the approximately $130 million effort — a joint project of the county and city governments — will detail plans for the final design and construction phase at a forum on Saturday (Nov. 16) from 9 to 11 a.m. at the community center (3740 Blenheim Blvd).
A slide-show presentation by the architectural firm is slated for 9:30 a.m.
Construction on the 100,000-square-foot initiative on the 2.4-acre site is expected to start in early 2026 and wrap up in 2029. The new campus “will unite health, wellness, child-care and arts facilities into a comprehensive community hub serving residents of all ages,” Fairfax County said in a press release.
It is slated to be funded through the capital improvement programs of the county and city governments.
“This is a fantastic partnership,” City of Fairfax Mayor Catherine Read said during a September update on the project’s progress.
However, at the same meeting, there were concerns raised about the costs involved. Residents need to be given “a full understanding of what people are paying for,” City Councilmember Jeffrey Greenfield said.
As part of the project, the existing Willard Center (3750 Blenheim Blvd), which offers dental and maternity care, immunizations, HIV testing and other health and human services, will be demolished and replaced.
The Sherwood Community Center will be renovated and is likely to see a new $4 million performing arts facility incorporated into its interior space.
A rooftop recreation area atop the new building will include space for bocce-ball courts for the senior center. Open space would be reconfigured as part of the project to provide connectivity between the two buildings.
While all signs point toward the project winning final approval, county and city leaders will have most of 2025 before a final decision arrives. Between now and then, staff will work on preparing documents for an eventual contract to be signed for construction work.
Based on tentative schedules, Fairfax County will cover about 58% of the overall costs for the base project. The city government will pick up costs related to the performing arts components if it moves forward.
Rendering via City of Fairfax
