Big development news in the City of Fairfax. The Fairfax City Council in collaboration with Fairfax County, unanimously voted to approve the development of a $127 million dollar Willard-Sherwood Community and Health Center at its April 28, 2026 meeting. Fairfax County Supervisors subsequently voted to approve the development at its May 5, 2026 meeting – moving the project forward to its construction phase.

The development plan calls for the existing 30,000 square foot Joseph Willard Health Center, which is no longer operative, to be razed and replaced with the new 100,00 square foot combined center. The new facility would be open to both City and Fairfax and Fairfax County residents. The project is anticipated to take three years for completion and is being developed by The Christian Company.

The $127 million project cost will be shared between Fairfax County at 73.4% and the City of Fairfax covering the remaining development costs.  The two government entities will split operating costs once the center is open.

The new center will combine existing services currently provided at different locations. For example the center will host recreation programs from Green Acres such as a preschool, fitness center and multi use classrooms as well as health and human services programs from the Willard Center such as clinical services and early childhood education programs. The expanded center will offer underground parking and will be connected to by a pedestrian foot bridge to the Sherwood Community Center. More details regarding the new center was provided at the April 28th City of Fairfax Council  meeting.