Dunn Loring Capital Project
Repurposing of Property with New School Construction
The Dunn Loring Administrative Center will be replaced with a new Dunn Loring Elementary School. The new school will help with overcrowding in the Dunn Loring/Falls Church/Tysons areas. Renovations with additions will total approximately 118,000 SF.
Latest Update: October 31, 2024
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Honoring the History of Dunn Loring Center
The Dunn Loring Administrative Center project will create a new elementary school, addressing the needs of a rapidly growing community and restoring the site to its original purpose. Honoring the historical significance of the building and land is an important part of the project. Artifacts from the original building will be preserved and displayed in the future elementary school. Additional ways to honor this important history are also being considered.
The Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan recognizes these sites and encourages preservation when possible. However, at least 60 sites have been demolished since the creation of the inventory. The original Dunn Loring School building will be among those that must be replaced to better serve the community. Doing so does not diminish the historical importance of the land on which it sits.
The addition of a new elementary school in this area will positively impact as many as ten other elementary schools by relieving the pressures of increasing enrollment growth. As we celebrate the future, we will continue to remember the past. We hope the preservation of select artifacts and a thoughtful display will invite future generations to learn more about the story of the Dunn Loring School.
The current zoning at the Dunn Loring Center necessitates a rezoning for the development of the new school facility. FCPS has filed a rezoning application, which is currently under review by the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development Zoning Evaluation Division. The Office of Design and Construction is actively collaborating with the Zoning Division staff on this application. Our teams are working diligently to ensure that all necessary requirements are met and that the rezoning process progresses smoothly.
- Dunn Loring Elementary School rezoning RZ-2023-PR-00018 Public Hearing was held, on Wednesday, October 30, 2024. The Planning Commission voted 10-0 to defer the decision on RZ-2023-PR-00018 to November 13, 2024.
- Board of Supervisors public hearing November 19, 2024
We understand the importance of this rezoning for the Dunn Loring community and are committed to keeping the community updated with future community meetings.
Sustainability – School design is currently pursuing an updated design which will drive the school’s Energy Use Intensity (EUI) from EUI-29 (orig. design) to EUI-10 through the implementation of ground-sourced geothermal HVAC systems, solar/solar ready roofscapes, and many other lesser-known methods of reducing energy usage. Dunn Loring Elementary School will be the most energy efficient Fairfax County Public School.
Future Community Meetings
Community Meeting #3
- December 4th, 2024, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
- Gatehouse Administration Center - Cafeteria, 8115 Gatehouse Road Falls Church, VA 22042
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Key Build Information
Funding: 2021 Bond (Planning/Design)
Future Building Area: 118,000 SF
Building Area: NA
Acreage: 9.3
Prior Renovation: NA
Prior Capacity Enhancement: NA
2008 Renovation Rank: #49
Architect: Samaha Associates, PC
Contractor: TBD
Current Status: Rezoning
Estimated Completion: TBD
School Information
Address: 2334 Gallows Road, Dunn Loring, VA 22027
FCPS Region: TBD
Grades: PreK-6
HS Pyramid: TBD
MS Feeder: TBD
Opened: n/a
Title 1: TBD
K-3 Cap: TBD
Programs: TBD
Past Engagement, Planning & Construction Information
Some have expressed concern that the original building, as a whole or in portions, would not be reused. The design consultant evaluated the potential to reuse any portion of the building as part of the design process. Unfortunately, we could not keep any of the original building and meet current educational requirements. To attempt to reuse the building would also increase costs significantly.
In June 2022, at the onset of the design process, FCPS staff and design consultant engaged Fairfax County staff from the Department of Planning and Development, Heritage Resources. The inquiry was specifically regarding the historical significance of the building and our inability to repurpose the physical structure. At that time, the County’s Preservation Planner and History Commission liaison shared information on the local inventory of historic sites, and that the Architectural Review Board could be engaged for input on a voluntary basis.
While the building does have a history, there are no limitations on our ability to modify or replace the structure. The Fairfax County Inventory of Historic Sites includes approximately 350 historically significant sites ranging from the internationally known Mount Vernon to numerous anonymous sites and structures including churches, bridges, houses, and graveyards. The Dunn Loring School is included on this inventory. The inventory is an honorary distinction, but does not impose restrictions for property owners.
We have heard the most recent concerns of the Fairfax County History Commission. As planning and design continues on this project, we will consult with them in the process and work together to ensure student needs are met while we honor and preserve the history of the Dunn Loring building and the land.
September 23, 2024: Community Meeting
November 10, 2022: Community Meeting
September 21, 2022: Design Feedback & Engagement Committee Meeting #2
June 6, 2022: Design Feedback & Engagement Committee Meeting #1
March 10, 2022: School Board Meeting
- Agenda (March 2022)
- View Recording - Agenda Item 5.07 - Dunn Loring Elementary Project at 1:45:27
February 10, 2022: Board Meeting
- Agenda (February 2022) - Item 6.07 Award of Contract
February 3, 2021: School Board Meeting
- Agenda (February 2021) - Action on the FY2022-2026 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), Motion Amendment for “Fairfax/Oakton” to “Dunn Loring ES”
January 5, 2021: School Board Meeting
- Agenda (January 2021)
- View Recording - Agenda Item 1.02 - Dunn Loring Elementary Project at 25:27
December 17 2020: Joint PTA meeting (Mosaic [former Mosby Woods], Providence, Oakton elementary schools)
