City Of Fairfax: Project To Rehabilitate Old Town Hall Set To Begin

Press release from the City of Fairfax :

07/28/2021 12:28 PM

Wooden support structures have been in place at Fairfax City’s historic Old Town Hall since last August, when one of the four ornamental columns collapsed in the middle of the night.

Now, after an extensive assessment of the building and historical architectural research, plans to repair the portico and improve safety and accessibility are set to begin the week of August 1. Work is anticipated to be complete by early 2022, but the schedule is dependent upon weather and the availability of specialized materials.

Located in the heart of the City of Fairfax Historic District (3999 University Drive, Fairfax) and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Old Town Hall is a defining landmark in the city. The hall was built in 1900 by Joseph E. Willard and presented to the Town of Fairfax in 1902. The stately building has been the center of the city’s social life ever since.

Rehabilitation plans were presented to City Council on May 25, with recommendations to:

The neo-classical Old Town Hall creates a sense of place that sets Old Town Fairfax apart from other towns and cities in the region. The historic building is a visual connection to the city’s past, with present day uses for special events, children’s programming, and performances.

Enhanced Accessibility

The city is seeking federal and state funding to assist in covering the cost of the rehabilitation. In most cases, federal financial assistance requires localities to make every effort to comply with the spirit and intent of the American Disabilities Act, as well as Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Improvements include making the front entrance accessible by raising the level of the portico floor approximately three inches to eliminate the step at the main entrance doors and constructing a ramp at the south end of the porch.

Necessary Tree Removal

To construct the ramp, a traffic signal cabinet and a fire hydrant must be relocated. This work will require removing at least one of the four Linden trees planted along Main Street in the early 1990s. After a thorough evaluation, a decision was made to remove all four trees because of their proximity to the building.

Tree roots are affecting the foundation and retaining wall, and the trees have grown rapidly, despite annual trimming to maintain their shape, and are now touching the face of the building and overhanging the gutters and roof. This contact has a deleterious effect on the historic structure, leading to moisture retention and accelerated rotting.  In addition, the trees obscure the view of the iconic building and prevent natural light from entering the interior. A landscape architect will create an attractive and appropriately planted area between Old Town Hall and Main Street, which will be improved with a more useable sidewalk.

Replacing Concrete Slab

During the evaluation a structural engineer examined the concrete slab that forms the floor of the portico. Several cracks and severe spalling on the underside were observed. The concrete slab will be replaced with a historically appropriate wood surface supported by steel framing. The wood surface is consistent with the building’s original design and can be accomplished at a similar cost to concrete.

Removal of the trees and relocation of the traffic signal cabinet will take place first, on July 31. Any road closures or traffic disruptions will be communicated via Fairfax City Alert.   

Media Contact: Matthew Kaiser, communications and marketing director, 703-273-6381

This press release was produced by the City of Fairfax. The views expressed here are the author’s own.