Public Works and Environmental Services

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Carey Needham
Director, Capital Facilities

Lorton District Police Station and Fairfax County Animal Shelter – Lorton Campus

rendering image - South County Police Station and Animal Shelter

Project Update: February 22, 2024

The project is complete, and the ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on October 28, 2023.


Project Background

In November 2015, Fairfax County voters overwhelmingly approved funding for the Lorton District Police Station and Fairfax County Animal Shelter.

The southern part of Fairfax County has a growing need for police and animal shelter services. Currently the Franconia and West Springfield District Police Stations service the central and southern areas of Fairfax County. An additional police station will allow the department to organize smaller patrol areas and decrease response times throughout the county. The site will also be home to the county’s second animal shelter. Animals in the south county area must be transported long distances to the current shelter in Fairfax. The new shelter will be much more convenient for residents and Animal Protection Police Officers.

Mount Vernon Supervisor Dan Storck convened an eight-member steering committee to communicate with interested community members and to advocate with county staff, architects, and key stakeholders during the development of the facility. The composition of the committee is representative of diverse community interests including area neighbors, HOA members, community members with law enforcement and animal shelter experience, and members of the South County Federation.

Project Description

The new facility includes an approximately 30,000 square-foot police station and an approximately 23,000 square-foot animal shelter. The station includes space for the Animal Protection Police and a community room. The site will also include 20,000 square-feet of outdoor space for the animal shelter, a fuel island to support fleet vehicles, and associated parking.

Project Location

South County Police Station and Animal Shelter site mapThe facility will be built on the newly widened Lorton Road on a parcel known as the “Triangle,” located between the intersections of Workhouse and Hooes Roads. This parcel was designated for public safety use in 2001. The amended Comprehensive Plan was approved by the county and the previous owners, the General Services Administration.

South County Aerial Map Showing Triangle Site for South County Police Station and Animal Shelter
South County map showing Triangle site for Lorton District Police Station and Fairfax County Animal Shelter

Project Benefits

The growing population of southern Fairfax County will be served by the new police station and animal shelter. Officers will have a shorter distance to drive when responding to calls, and officers won’t be pulled away from their own districts. The new Lorton District Police Station and Fairfax County Animal Shelter will offer services such as rabies clinics, pet adoptions, spay and neuter services, wildlife education and a volunteer program in a convenient location.


Project Timeline

  • Construction Bids Opened: November 2020
  • Construction Notice to Proceed: February 2021 to Forrester Construction
  • Ground Breaking Event: May 22, 2021 at 10 a.m.
  • Occupancy: Fall 2023

What to Expect

A community meeting was held on June 13, 2018.

Project Cost and Funding Source

Funding for the Lorton District Police Station and Fairfax County Animal Shelter was approved in the 2015 Public Safety Bond Referendum ($151M). Citizens voted overwhelmingly to approve the needed projects (74.5 percent voted yes).

Presentations to the Community

South County Police Station and Animal Shelter - Steering Committee Meeting, December 3, 2021.

South County Police Station and Animal Shelter - Steering Committee Meeting, May 10, 2021.

Contact

For questions about the project, please contact project manager Revathi Vohra.

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