Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center
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Fairfax City and 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 the corner of Layton Hall Drive and Blenheim Boulevard, the new Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center will be built in place of the current health center and include a campus redesign that connects to the Sherwood Center.
Once complete, the city-operated community center and a county-operated health and human services center will provide integrated services to both city and county residents.
The joint redevelopment project came about following years of evaluations conducted by both the city and county. They are working together to develop a conceptual plan for this campus -- and your input is needed to make this happen.
This campus will offer many different programs and services designed to meet the needs of individuals of all ages and abilities throughout Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax. To that end, county and city staff are seeking input to ensure that the campus is designed to meet the needs and interests of the surrounding community.
While some of the programs in the facility have already been designated; there will be multiple opportunities for community involvement and engagement throughout the process to discuss a variety of topics including site concepts, facility amenities, community center programming, and construction logistics.
2-10-2026 Work Session Presentation
Land Use Presentation to Fairfax City Council 10-14-2025
Video: Nov. 16, 2024, Open House
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Final design presented.
Feedback Received on Two Proposed Design Schemes
Virtual Design Showcase 1-18-2024
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Two design schemes were presented during a virtual meeting.
Spring 2023 Update: A design concept has been selected
Frequently Asked Questions
Virtual Open House Video - Nov. 16, 2022
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An open house was held at the Sherwood Community Center to share progress on design options for the new health and community center.
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The project team shared three concepts on a Zoom call.
Summary of Public Feedback from Community Events
Feb. 23 Drop-in Event Video
Virtual and In-Person Meetings
Virtual: Two virtual Zoom sessions were held
- 7-8:30 p.m. January 26
- 9-10:30 a.m. January 29
In-Person: A “drop-in” event was held Feb. 23 at the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center. Watch a short video from the event.
Virtual Open House Presentation
Virtual Open House Videos
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Includes Breakout Room 2
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This is a response from the city to @ConcernedTaxpayer: Based on the financing scenario presented to Council, the portion of the real estate tax rate specifically attributable to debt financing for the WHSCC would be 4.33 cents. For the average City homeowner, that equates to approximately $316 per year associated with financing the City’s share of the project.
Additionally, as presented during the February 10, 2026, Council Work Session, staff are projecting that the annual operating costs for the facility will be fully covered through the proposed cost recovery model. The goal of this model is for operating expenses to be supported through program revenue, memberships, rentals, and other user-based sources rather than ongoing tax support.
Regarding the project budget, the approved and appropriated funding for the City’s portion of the project is $56 million, which includes the $3 million parking garage component but does not include the optional performing arts component. Based on the most recent and detailed cost estimates shared during the February 10 work session, the current projected total project cost is $54,346,166, which is below the approved project budget. This estimate includes the parking garage but does not include the $4 million performing arts option, which has not been approved by Council and for which funding has not been appropriated.
The City and County have been working collaboratively on this project for many years, and both jurisdictions continue to review costs, funding, and community benefits as part of the ongoing discussion.
Not to pile on to the comments below but:
City residents are being asked to pay $2,083 per resident ($52 million) while County residents chip in a paltry $62 per resident ($78 million). In addition, City residents will then be asked to fund $1.7 million per year for operating costs, $3 million for a parking garage, and possibly another $4 million for a performing arts center! It’s no wonder the City can’t raise property taxes fast enough to cover all these projects. What actions can the City take to avoid additional property tax rate increases ?
I completely agree with Leo9. This is a really expensive project for us. Our share would be financed by 3 "tranches" of loans, our share (the County has most of it) around $52 million! How are we going to pay that back? I have emailed the mayor/city council twice on this, and no one has responded. My property taxes are already $8K for a 3 level townhome. Enough is enough, this project should be cancelled!
The Willard Sherwood Health and community Center maybe a wonderful idea but my property taxes went up $900 last year after a 5% increase the year before. Enough is enough. And that is why I am regretfully against this project. We need to get our fiscal house in order and focus on bringing back affordability for all city residents. This is not a time for unnecessary projects. It is a time for austerity.