News and Information
October 20, 2021
On October 16, 2021, the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services held a ceremony to officially commemorate the renaming of Southgate Community Center to the Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate. The event took place in front of a standing-room-only crowd during Southgate's annual Community Day, which included fun and games for area families.
Speakers included Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey McKay, former Board of Supervisors Chairman Katherine Hanley, and NCS Director Lloyd Tucker.
Supervisor Alcorn said, "Cathy really put her heart and soul into these community facilities, and there's no better way that I can see to honor her and her service than having this facility be named for Cathy."
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to rename Southgate after Ms. Hudgins following a May 4, 2021 Board Matter by Supervisor Alcorn. Supervisor Hudgins was instrumental in the re-creation of Southgate into a valuable community asset. During her nearly two decades as supervisor, she worked tirelessly to negotiate the land lease with the Reston Association, secure the financing, review the building design, monitor its construction, and support the center’s program activities.
Watch highlights of the Renaming Ceremony in this "16 Around Fairfax" segment:
October 7, 2021
Southgate Community Center is being renamed in honor of Supervisor Catherine Hudgins, who retired from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at the end of 2019. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to rename Southgate after Ms. Hudgins following a May 4, 2021 Board Matter by Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn.
Located at 12125 Pinecrest Road in Reston, Southgate provides a variety of recreational, cultural and educational programs, along with access to county and community resources. Residents voted on the new name, which will be Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate.
The new name will be commemorated at an unveiling ceremony to be held during Southgate Community Day on Oct. 16, 2021. Speakers include Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey McKay, former Board of Supervisors Chairman Katherine Hanley, and Neighborhood and Community Services Director Lloyd Tucker.
Supervisor Hudgins was instrumental in the re-creation of Southgate into a valuable community asset. During her nearly two decades as supervisor, she worked tirelessly to negotiate the land lease with the Reston Association, secure the financing, review the building design, monitor its construction, and support the center’s program activities.
The renaming ceremony and Southgate Community Day are open to the public. To learn more and RSVP, visit https://bit.ly/RenamingCeremony .
October 5, 2021
On Saturday, October 2, NCS held an unveiling ceremony to reveal Fairfax County's new historical marker commemorating the James Lee Elementary School, now the site of the James Lee Community Center, in Falls Church. The program included remarks by Gerry Connolly of the U.S. House of Representatives, Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik, Fairfax County Chief Equity Officer Karla Bruce, and community members. Several descendants of the Lee family participated in the unveiling of the marker.
Watch the "16 Around Fairfax" segment on the event below:
The James Lee Elementary School was built on land purchased in 1866 by African American James Edward Lee (1839-1919), who was born free. In 1945, James Lee’s son sold a portion of the original property to the Fairfax County School Board to build a school for black children. The James Lee Elementary School closed in 1966 when Fairfax County integrated its schools. The original building is now part of the James Lee Community Center.
