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Herndon mayor lays out five FY2027 priorities and updates Lot H litigation
Summary
Mayor Kevin LeBlanc used the 2026 State of the Town to outline five FY2027 priorities — protecting fundamentals, shaping growth, modernizing systems, fiscal stewardship and community — and reported that litigation over the Lot H/Comstock redevelopment is pending before Fairfax Circuit Court.
Mayor Kevin LeBlanc delivered Herndon’s 2026 State of the Town address on Feb. 27, outlining five priorities for fiscal year 2027 and giving a legal update on the stalled Lot H redevelopment project.
LeBlanc said the town’s immediate focus is "keeping Herndon safe, functional, and connected," and listed five clear priorities for FY2027: protecting core services such as public safety and infrastructure; shaping growth through downtown and metro planning; modernizing infrastructure and internal systems; exercising disciplined fiscal stewardship; and investing in community and belonging.
The mayor framed those priorities around the town’s limited land base and long-term resilience. He highlighted the town’s fiscal record — noting a continued AAA bond rating and national financial reporting recognition — and said the budget shifts in the current proposal are designed to protect core services while keeping the residential tax rate stable.
On downtown redevelopment, LeBlanc provided an update on Lot H, the roughly five-acre site at the heart of Herndon’s Old Town long associated with developer Comstock. According to the mayor, Comstock formally elected in December 2024 not to proceed with the redevelopment, the town exercised its contractual reentry to regain control of the site, but the deed was not returned. "We have had mediations and hearings during 2025 without a return of our property," LeBlanc said, and added that on 02/27/2026 the Fairfax Circuit Court heard arguments on the town’s motion for summary judgment and has taken the matter under advisement. "I am extremely disappointed in the behavior of our development partner," he said.
LeBlanc said the town has pursued legal remedies to protect taxpayers and enforce the agreement, and that while the litigation continues the town is engaging downtown businesses, pursuing interim activations and advancing early-action planning in parallel with Herndon 2050 so it can move strategically once the dispute is resolved.
The town manager and staff will continue to provide public updates as the case proceeds; the Fairfax Circuit Court’s written ruling is pending. The mayor closed by emphasizing that Herndon’s path forward must balance preserving identity with smart growth and long-term stewardship.
