BAR reviews revised Willard Sherwood health and community center design; staff, county and architects to refine bridge, retaining wall and landscape details

City and county design teams presented a revised concept for a new Willard Sherwood Health and Community Center at 3740 and 3750 Blenheim Boulevard during a BAR work session on June 18.

Anna (staff) and project representatives described the plan to demolish the existing Joseph Willard Health Center (a 1954 structure) and replace it with a roughly 102,000‑square‑foot health and community facility that would serve both Fairfax City and Fairfax County residents. The project would include two levels of underground parking with about 235 spaces, two fenced playgrounds, rooftop senior amenities and a bridge connection to the adjacent Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center.

County project manager Deepa Zoshi introduced the county team; Grim & Parker architects explained design responses to prior BAR comments. The architect said the building is designed to reinforce the street edge while breaking massing into smaller volumes, and that the project aims for LEED Gold and to be an all‑electric, net‑zero‑energy building. ‘‘This is a LEED Gold building. It is a building that aims for net 0 energy, and it’s an all electric building systems and equipment,’’ an architect said during the presentation.

Staff and board members focused discussion on three main refinement areas: the bridge connector’s materials and appearance, the large concrete retaining wall leading into the garage, and landscaping/entry treatments to provide a more welcoming, human‑scaled entrance. Staff recommended the applicant explore materials for the bridge so it blends better with the traditional appearance of the Stacy Sherwood Center rather than appearing like an add‑on. The applicant team said a lighter metal and glass connector was chosen to help distinguish the two buildings without creating a heavy, brick‑walled link.

Board members asked several site‑operation and construction questions. One member urged early asbestos abatement planning because the existing Willard building dates from 1964 and must be abated prior to demolition; project staff said they have a full asbestos report and will complete abatement before demolition. The same member recommended planning construction‑period traffic management and considering a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) procurement approach during construction‑document development.

Other refinements the BAR requested included better treatment or softening of the large retaining wall (staff suggested stamping, color or other finishes) and additional interest and seating in entry areas to encourage public use rather than an institutional appearance. The applicant confirmed playground shading was added after the prior meeting and that rooftop senior space will be ADA accessible (team said three elevators will provide roof access).

The work session concluded with agreement that the applicant and staff will continue coordination on materials, retaining‑wall treatment, bridge details and landscape refinements before returning to BAR or moving to final approvals.

Next steps: the project team will continue to refine bridge materials, retaining‑wall treatments and landscape details in coordination with staff and the city arts director; further presentations are expected as design documents are finalized.