Planning commission recommends $148 million FY2026–31 capital improvements program to City Council

The Falls Church City Planning Commission unanimously recommended the city’s proposed six‑year Capital Improvements Program (FY2026–31) to City Council on March 5, 2025.

In a staff presentation, the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) coordinator said the proposed six‑year total is $148 million. Staff estimated $46 million of that would come from grants over the six years, with about $12.3 million identified as federal funding within the grant total. Staff also reported approximately $50 million in prior‑year grant appropriations remain active; $24 million of those prior appropriations are for transportation projects.

The commission’s motion, moved by Commissioner Krasner, found the proposed CIP consistent with adopted comprehensive and small‑area plans and cited priorities used to shape the program: effective project delivery, reinvestment in existing infrastructure, multimodal transportation (including protected bike lanes and missing‑sidewalk fixes), and affordable housing alignment. Commissioners also urged continued work to match project scopes to departmental capacity so awarded grants can be implemented promptly.

During the CIP discussion Commissioner Duncan asked about Cherry Hill Farmhouse restoration work and whether roof/HVAC funding could be prioritized; staff said foundation repairs were appropriated and underway, and roof/HVAC work will be proposed for funding if additional resources become available. Commissioners also raised reliability of electrical service along North Washington Street after a recent outage; staff said ongoing discussions with the local utility aim to reduce single‑point failures and that a city hall emergency power reconfiguration project is proposed in the CIP for FY2027.

The commission also approved a friendly amendment — added to the motion before the vote — requesting that rooftop solar for Aurora House and any other city buildings where solar costs are recovered through utility savings be funded to facilitate completion of those projects. Staff and commissioners noted that some school roofs and city facilities need roof replacement before solar can be installed and flagged potential funding paths (budget amendments or surplus funds) to advance projects sooner if feasible.

The roll call on the CIP recommendation was unanimous: Polinski — yes; Duncan — yes; Krasner — yes; Stevens — yes; Friedlander — yes; Kravinsky — yes; Comont (chair) — yes. Planning staff said the CIP will be transmitted with the City Manager’s proposed FY2026 budget on March 24, 2025; Council’s tentative adoption of the budget is scheduled for May 12, 2025.

Key CIP details and staff notes from the March 5 presentation: - Proposed six‑year total: $148,000,000 (all programs). - Grants: $46,000,000 total in the 6‑year budget; $12,300,000 federal grant portion. - Prior‑year appropriations with federal grants still pending or active: ~$50,000,000 (transportation comprises ~$24,000,000). - Priorities: infrastructure reinvestment, multimodal transportation, energy efficiency and affordable housing alignment.

What’s next: The CIP will be included in the city manager’s proposed FY2026 budget to Council on March 24 and will move through Council work sessions and public hearings before adoption. Commissioners said they expect to monitor grant status and project delivery capacity to reduce the risk of unspent awards.