Community Corner
Original Mount Vernon High School Renovations Slated For 2024
Teen and senior center programs at the historic Mount Vernon building will be relocated as construction is expected to begin in spring 2024.
MOUNT VERNON, VA — Renovations to the Original Mount Vernon High School to prepare it for additional uses are expected to begin in spring 2024.
Fairfax County's Neighborhood and Community Services announced its South County Teen and Senior Center programs will relocate starting in September ahead of the 2024 construction kickoff. Programs will be relocated nearby, including at the Hybla Valley Community Center, Gum Springs Community Center, Lorton Senior Center and the Kingstowne Center for Active Adults.
In addition, the building's gymnasium will be open with limited programming until construction begins in spring 2024.
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Fairfax County government has been planning for reuse of the former high school, which is on the Virginia Historic Landmarks Register and National Registry of Historic Places. The 22-acre property at 8333 Richmond Highway has been occupied with temporary and permanent uses, including a renovated gym, a satellite Fire Marshal’s Office for South County, a Fairfax County Public Schools registration site, teen center and senior center.
According to Fairfax County, updates to the former high school campus are planned in phases. The first phase will renovate the main building to prepare for uses like educational, childcare and childhood education programs; art, recreational, and life skill training programs; and innovation and business incubation spaces.
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The Teen and Senior Centers will also get updates, including a new pedestrian bridge from a new welcome center, renovation of the entrance, restoration of windows and more.
A future phase could include residential development on the former school's athletic field. The county is exploring long-term development plans for the site combined with the George Washington RECenter and park.
The first phase of renovations could be completed in spring 2026 and be followed by a grand opening, according to Latishma Walters, an assistant division director for the county's Neighborhood and Community Services.
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