As Fairfax heads deeper into the 21st century, the city must contend with several growing pains. Citizens and city government alike must grapple with how much development to allow and determine how the city should adjust in its traffic, schooling and other infrastructure needs as new residents move in and older ones desire to remain. Although many residents enjoy Fairfax's small-town feel, development, as well as the city's desire to redevelop Old Town and its historic sites, will test the city's identity in the next several years.
<ro>Old Town Redevelopment
<Bt>For over ten years, the city has debated how to spruce up its Old Town district and make it a viable commercial and possibly residential district, while maintaining its historic and distinct character. After years of working with a developer to develop city-owned sites, the city recently opened up the process to four development firms, who will each present their vision for an Old Town that's pedestrian-, business- and traffic-friendly.
Past ideas for the historic district have included retail options with a movie theater or a luxury hotel. The proposals currently before the Fairfax City Council address city-owned sites on North Street and Chain Bridge Road, where the post office currently sits until it moves in 2004.
<ro>Blenheim Estate and Historic Properties
<bt>As the city determines how to redevelop its Old Town, it's also attempting to strengthen its historic identity. A recent state grant will allow the city to review its inventory of historic properties. The Blenheim Estate, which includes the house as well as the surrounding grounds, will undergo a renovation to be completed in time for the 2007 state-wide celebrations marking the Jamestown colony. Renovations could include the construction of a Visitors' Center as well renovations to the Blenheim house, known for its Civil War-era graffiti.
Although the process will take years, the attempts to carve out its historic identity and redevelop Old Town Fairfax have already begun. A public-private partnership recently created Destination Fairfax, a tourism initiative which invites travel writers to the Fairfax to write about the area's culture and history.
<ro>Open Space
<bt>In November 2000, Fairfax City voters passed 2-to-1 an advisory referendum which would allow the city to collect, for five years, as much as five cents from the real estate tax, with the money going toward the purchase of open space. Open space is undeveloped land, set aside for park use or for preserving the wooded area from development.
One example of a recent open space purchase is 9985 Lee Highway, known as the Rebel Run property. Although developers had initial interest to place a hotel on the site, the city bought the property for $1,350,000, and intends to preserve the wooded area.
<ro>Expansion and Renovation of City Hall and the construction of a Public Safety Building
<bt>In November 2001, Fairfax citizens passed a $20 million-dollar voter referendum that would allow the city to expand and renovate City Hall, as well as construct a new public safety building for the Fairfax City Police. In the original proposal, City Hall was to expand the back portion of building, while the police station was to be built next to City Hall, thus moving it from its current location at the John C. Wood Complex. But because of citizens' concerns for traffic and over-development on the City Hall site, the expansion and renovation of City Hall will continue, but city officials are determining the best location for the police station. Possibilities include keeping the police station at the John C. Wood site or finding another site entirely.
<ro>Community Center
<bt>The recent debate on the location of the new police station has renewed interest in establishing a community center for the city. Many citizens have advocated for years for a community center that would benefit all Fairfax residents. Community groups often utilize for meeting space Fairfax High School and the building that had housed Green Acres Elementary. The city's Parks and Recreation Department offers some classes and has its offices at the John C. Wood Complex on Old Lee Highway. Many community center advocates hope for a center that could host classes, meetings and the Parks and Recreation Department.
<ro>Renovations to Fairfax High School and Lanier Middle School
<bt>In November 2004, Fairfax City citizens may have to vote on a bond referendum to pay for renovations to Fairfax High School and Lanier Middle School. Although bond and project costs have yet to be finalized, the bond would install new roofs, upgrade the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, electric, plumbing and safety systems and refurbish the media centers and science and computer labs.
Within the past decade, Fairfax citizens had also passed a bond to build two new elementary schools, Daniels Run Elementary and Providence Elementary, thus consolidating the elementary school-age population. Those schools opened in 2000.
<ro>Fairlee Development
While this proposed development is outside of city limits, its impact may greatly affect the city's commerce and traffic. Although the project is still pending, developers want to build a higher-density, mixed-used development south of the Vienna Metrorail station and Route 66. The development, on 70-acres off of Route 29, could include several mid- to high-rise buildings containing up to 2,300 dwelling units, as well as some office and retail space. A tentative completion date for all construction would be 2010.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors have yet to rezone the site for higher density. Some concerns expressed by neighboring subdivisions and the Town of Vienna have been increased traffic that could occur, Metrorail's limited capacity and building an adequate sound buffer between the site and the neighboring Circle Woods subdivision.