In 2018, the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development Community Revitalization Section (DPD CRS) and the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) embarked on an engagement process to solicit community input on the vision for a new, innovative community gathering space in downtown Annandale.
Located at 7200 Columbia Pike in the heart of the Annandale Community Business Center (CBC) and Commercial Revitalization District (CRD), the Annandale Civic Space (now the Eileen Garnet Civic Space) was developed on county-owned property is a former elementary school. Currently, the buildings and a portion of the grounds are licensed to a community non-profit for the purpose of operating a childcare center. The Annandale Civic Space takes up the remaining portion of the property (less than one acre). This was the ideal site for this project for several reasons including the County’s ownership of the property, the long-term community vision for the CBC/CRD, and community support.
This initiative was launched in May 2018 and evolved with community input and the identification of additional opportunities and/or constraints. In the fall of 2018, community members were given the opportunity to provide input on two draft design concepts. County staff took the preference input provided and refined the design over the winter and spring of 2018/2019 into a final design vision.
The vision consists of approximately four distinct areas:
The design converts the property’s existing underutilized open space into a more functional community space for public enjoyment. The design includes the installation of a new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible path to the space, while providing a connection from Daniels Avenue to Columbia Pike.
Watch the walk-through video tour to learn more about the space or read the design briefing to learn more about specific elements of the design.
