Capital Improvement Plan

Planning for future of Central Library, Lee Community Center moves up in county priorities

Published July 23, 2026 at 2:45PM

Arlington Central Library building (file photo)

County Board members have directed staff to move more quickly in considering future uses of the Central Library and Lee Community Center parcels.

In a change from the plan as proposed by County Manager Mark Schwartz, Board members said on Tuesday that staff should hire a consultant in fiscal year 2029 to develop a plan for potential uses of the Central Library site in Virginia Square. That timeline will allow planning to advance on roughly the same timetable as consideration of future uses at the adjacent Quincy Park.

News

Big-picture planning for future of Central Library, Quincy Park sparks early debate

By Scott McCaffrey

Published July 17, 2026 at 3:45PM

Arlington Central Library building (file photo)

County Board members are wrestling with the timing and potential scope of future changes to Central Library and adjacent Quincy Park.

At a July 14 capital-spending work session, Board members tried to find common ground on how to approach what could become one of the county’s most contentious planning efforts of the 2030s.

News

Advocates want $10M in stabilization funds to reopen Lee Community Center

By Scott McCaffrey

Published July 9, 2026 at 9:15AM

Entrance to former Lee Community Center (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Advocates for the shuttered Lee Community Center are making a last-minute bid to include renovation funding in the county’s updated capital improvement plan.

Jean Henceroth, president of the Leeway Overlee Civic Association, said $10 million in funding would allow for the upgrades needed to reopen the facility.

News

Cherrydale Library supporters seek accessibility upgrades to safeguard branch’s future

By Scott McCaffrey

Published July 8, 2026 at 3:45PM

Cherrydale Library (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Having saved the Cherrydale Library from closing, advocates now want the county government to address the building’s accessibility issues.

Making upgrades to reach Americans with Disabilities Act standards “will allow the library to better serve the neighborhood and the county, and strengthen its long-term viability,” said Michael Gessel, president of Citizens for Cherrydale Library, at a public hearing on the proposed FY27-36 capital improvement plan.

News

Doubling in size: Penrose Square expansion set to move forward with $4.27M county funding

By Scott McCaffrey

Published June 30, 2026 at 8:30AM

A yoga class in front of the Echo artwork at Penrose Square (courtesy Arlington Arts)

The county government is readying for major expansion of Penrose Square, with funding to start flowing in about three years — an effort bringing accolades from several Columbia Pike organizations.

County Manager Mark Schwartz has included $4.27 million in funding for fiscal 2030 in his proposed 10-year capital improvement plan (CIP) set for a final County Board vote in mid-July.

Schools

School Board approves $142M cost estimate for pricier TJ Middle School expansion

By Scott McCaffrey

Published June 22, 2026 at 9:15AM

Supporters of improvements to Thomas Jefferson Middle School made their case at the Dec. 18, 2025 School Board meeting (courtesy Melinda Wuellner)

School Board members have increased spending estimates for renovations to Thomas Jefferson Middle School, seeking to strike a balance between different proposals.

Board members voted 5-0 on June 18 to adopt the school system’s fiscal 2027-36 capital improvement plan, setting the stage for an $80 million school-bond referendum in the fall and future referendums down the road.

Schools

School Board members debate scope, strategy of TJ Middle School upgrades

By Scott McCaffrey

Published June 5, 2026 at 8:30AM

Sign held at School Board 2025 hearing (courtesy Thomas Jefferson Middle School PTSA)

Significant divisions appear to remain among School Board members on the scope of a planned renovation and addition to Thomas Jefferson Middle School.

Three design concepts — with costs of $130 million, $140 million and $168 million — are still on the table, while at least one School Board member has not given up on the possibility of a complete replacement.

Schools

APS public-private construction plans raise some concerns amid fiscal constraints

By Scott McCaffrey

Published June 2, 2026 at 8:30AM

2025 construction work at the Grace Hopper Center, located next to the current Arlington Career Center (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Arlington school leaders have more work to do in sketching out how they might use public-private partnerships to construct new facilities in an era of fiscal constraints.

Superintendent Francisco Durán’s proposed fiscal 2027-36 capital improvement plan, unveiled May 14, makes reference to potential future partnerships to help defray costs of constructing and maintaining new facilities.

Schools

School Board commits to middle school renovations but seeks to lower costs

By Scott McCaffrey

Published June 1, 2026 at 2:45PM

Supporters of improvements to Thomas Jefferson Middle School made their case at the Dec. 18, 2025 School Board meeting (courtesy Melinda Wuellner)

A divided School Board last Thursday backed a 22% cut in the anticipated future cost of a renovation/expansion project at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, but left the door open to more discussion.

The 3-1 vote, with one abstention, reduces the cost estimate to $130 million, from an initial $168 million proposed by Superintendent Francisco Durán and staff.

News

Planned restroom upgrade at Gunston Park has $1M price tag

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 27, 2026 at 10:00AM

Existing outdoor restroom facilities at Gunston Park (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

New restroom facilities at Gunston Park are expected to cost around $1 million — a grand total arising from the price of materials, installation and associated costs.

County officials present the cost as a financial win for taxpayers, even if not everyone sees it that way.

News

County manager proposes $4.3B capital plan, seeks five bond referendums

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 21, 2026 at 10:00AM

County Manager Mark Schwartz unveils capital improvement package (screenshot via Arlington County)

County voters are likely to see nearly a quarter-billion dollars spread over five local bond referendums on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Revenues from future bond sales would support County Manager Mark Schwartz’s proposed new 10-year, $4.3 billion capital improvement plan, unveiled on Tuesday evening.

Schools

Superintendent seeks $250M to refurbish and expand TJ, Swanson middle schools

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 18, 2026 at 3:45PM

Supporters of improvements to Thomas Jefferson Middle School made their case at the Dec. 18, 2025 School Board meeting (courtesy Melinda Wuellner)

Superintendent Francisco Durán has laid out a quarter-billion-dollar plan to renovate and expand two middle schools.

Downplaying concerns that the projects could crowd out needed improvements at other buildings, Durán on Thursday night described plans for Thomas Jefferson Middle School and Swanson Middle School. They include the following.