Department of Economic Initiatives (DEI)

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our office is open 8:30AM-4:30PM M-F
703-324-5171 TTY 711
12015 Route 50, Suite 510
Fairfax, VA 22033
Rebecca Moudry
Director

Department Resources

Eileen Garnet Civic Space

Category: ProjectApproved: December 5, 2017

Eileen Garnett Civic Space

Project Status: Complete

Project Description:

Fairfax County engaged with the Annandale community to create a civic space with programming on underutilized County-owned property in the heart of the Annandale Revitalization District.​

The pilot project created interim spaces and activities to guide design of a permanent park location at 7200 Columbia Pike. ​

The vision of the site consists of a Parking Lot Expansion for pop-up programming, Civic Plaza, Children’s Educational Garden and a Great Lawn and is an anchor for the proposed Annandale Greenway.

Eileen Garnett Civic Center

FACTS and FIGURES

Project Partners​

  • Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA)​
  • Department of Planning and Development (DPD)​

Project Goals:​

  • Engage community in planning and crating a community open-space.​
  • Identify regulatory issues facing community activation events.​

Funding Summary​

County Investment: $125,000​
Total Investment: $125,000​

County Funding to Date: $124,565​
Direct Revenue Generated: N/A​

Project Milestones:​

  • Held two “Open Streets” events in 2018 for community-based design of the space​
  • Held six programming events in 2019​
  • Approval by the Planning Commission on December 2, 2020.​
  • Grand Opening was celebrated in October 2023.​
  • Artist mural ribbon-cutting event held on October 26, 2024.​

Project Outcomes:

  • Project Outcomes:
  • 15,300 community members visited or attended events at the Civic Space between 2024 and 2025.In 2025, there was a 51% year-over-year increase in visitation as more residents become aware of the Civic Space.
  • Visitors stayed an average of 42 minutes per trip to the Civic Space in 2025, a 27% increase from 2024.
  • 28 events were held between 2024 and 2025 with the largest event, The Taste of Annandale drawing 2,300 visitors in 2025, a 21%
  • increase from 2024. 2025 also saw the new monthly NVA Thai Market from May through December, which attracted over 6,000 visitors across 6 market days.
  • The Civic Space is helping to fuel investment by businesses and community organizations with multiple new projects including the Annandale Greenway, which the Civic Space helped to connect and create a midpoint for, pedestrian improvements to Tom Davis Drive and Columbia Pike, and the Eastgate multifamily development commencing construction in 2026 for 270 multifamily dwelling units and 3 new restaurant commercial spaces.
  • 28 community partners involved in the Civic Space:
    • Hands on Harvest
    • ACCA CDC
    • Annandale Greenway
    • Mason Arts Advisory Council
    • Annandale Volunteer Fire Station
    • Community Art for Everyone (CAFE)
    • Korean Community Service Center (KCSC)
    • Annandale Roundtable (Taste of Annandale)
    • Asian American Community Center
    • Ethiopian Festival
    • Fairfax County Agencies including:
    • Mason District Supervisors Office
    • Park Authority
    • Neighborhood and Community Services
    • Department of Public Works and Environmental Services
    • Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination
    • Urban Forestry
    • Animal Services
    • Fairfax Tree Stewards
    • Friends Of Accotink
    • Plant NOVA Natives
    • YSL Hapmudo Studio
    • GMU Vietnamese Students Association
    • Korean American Association of Greater Washington
    • Celebrate Fairfax
    • NVA Thai Center
    • ArtsFairfax
    • Artisans United
    • Scouts BSA Troop 150

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