1 Lane Of University Drive Closed As Repairs Begin On Old Town Hall In Fairfax City

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Travelers driving through the City of Fairfax over the next few months can expect to encounter a new traffic pattern as repairs get underway as part of the Old Town Hall rehabilitation project.

Beginning Tuesday, the righthand lane of northbound University Drive from south of Main Street to North Street will be closed for several months. This may cause delays and travelers may want to take alternate routes.

In addition, the parking lot adjacent to Old Town Hall will be closed. Visitors to Old Town are encouraged to use one of the other public parking lots found nearby.

The city took on the project to repair Old Town Hall after one of its wooden pillars fell early in the morning on Aug. 14, 2020.

At its Jan. 25 meeting, the Fairfax City Council voted unanimously to award a contract of $510,472 to Kadcon Corporation to undertake Phase I of the project. Council members also voted unanimously at the same meeting to approve $590,000 in supplemental funding for the project.

During Phase I, a new wood column with a new capital, wood base, and aluminum plinth will be installed. The three other columns will be removed, stored, repaired and reinstalled with new wood bases and cast aluminum plinths, according to the project overview.

In addition, the concrete porch slab at the front of the portico will be removed and replaced with a new steel frame for the porch floor. On top of that, a painted tongue and groove wood floor will be installed and supported by the frame. The stone foundation wall supporting the frame will also be repaired.

Other Phase I repairs and improvements include the removal of the exiting concrete steps at the west front of the portico, which will be replaced by modified wood steps with handrails. Also an ADA-compliant concrete ramp with a brick and stone border will be installed at the south end of the portico.