Up and down the Mount Vernon corridor, there are needs to update and modernize things to keep the community vibrant and desirable to businesses and residents so it will uphold the living standards that are present all over Fairfax County.

On Monday, June 23, Supervisor Dan Storck (D-Mount Vernon) gathered with planners and residents to look at a couple of blocks in Mount Vernon that could use a dose of “placemaking,” to keep up with the times. These two blocks they looked at are bordered by Mount Vernon Hospital, Mount Vernon Police and Fire, Supervisor Storck's office, Walt Whitman Middle School and Sherwood Regional library. It’s an area with lots of brick buildings and parking lots, and less community gathering areas with walkable streetscapes that might be seen in areas like Kingstowne or Reston.

This placemaking idea is in line with the “Embark Richmond Highway,” that Storck has been pursuing over the last few years. Providing expertise were Tiya Raju and Jun Li, members of the civil engineering side from the Fairfax County Department of Works and Environmental Services, as well as outside engineers from Grimm Parker Architects and LandDesign.

“It was inspiring to hear from so many neighbors who care deeply about the future of our community," said Storck, noting that for many years, the Governmental Center, Library, Police Station and Fire Station at Sherwood Hall and Parkers Lane have served as essential facilities in the Mount Vernon District. Now he sees the opportunity to reimagine this space as a vibrant, inclusive civic hub where community connections and public services are brought together. "I invite you to take our survey and help shape the Mount Vernon Center into a space that reflects our shared values and brings everyone together," he added.

Fairfax County described the work of the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services that “builds and maintains safe, reliable infrastructure that improves public health and provides a high quality of life for residents.” The Mount Vernon Master Plan is part of a bigger county plan to modernize public facilities, consolidate facilities and free up land for uses such as public space. Over in the Franconia District, this type of placemaking plan is in use as they are finishing up a new building that will house Supervisor Rodney Lusk's (D-Franconia) office, the police and a new library. Grimm-Parker also did the redesign of the West Springfield Governmental Center which included police and fire facilities as well as Springfield Supervisor Pat Herrity's (R) office.

Mount Vernon officials are now reaching out to the community with a questionnaire to find out what the residents think. This community survey will end on July 22, and the process will go on to the next step. To fill out the survey, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JQYCRWK