WHAT STARTED OUT AS A PUSH to provide a temporary outdoor dining space for the community to support local restaurants during the pandemic will soon become the latest “parklet” in Fairfax County, thanks in part to a Realtor® Placemaking Grant.

As Fairfax County prepared to move into phase one of the Commonwealth’s business reopening plan in the spring and summer, NVAR Government Affairs staff reached out to Fairfax County Chairman Jeff McKay to identify ways that Realtors® could help businesses in the area. The initial idea was to create a public space, allowable under the County’s proposed temporary outdoor dining permit, that could support several businesses that may not have access to individual physically distant, outdoor dining areas.

As the idea evolved, talks shifted to a more permanent facility intended to reactivate an existing space and provide much needed life to an area in the southern part of Fairfax County. In partnership with the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation (SFDC), NVAR is helping to create this new public space inside the Mount Vernon Plaza off Richmond Highway with plans to open in November. Featuring outdoor dining, family games and activities, landscaping, historical markers, art and a future event space, this mini park is sure to be a draw for area residents.

Through the help of a Placemaking Grant provided by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), an existing but little-used outdoor dining space will be converted into an active community destination.

NAR’s Placemaking program provides financial assistance to help Realtor® Associations and their members become engaged in placemaking in their communities. If you have ideas for future placemaking projects, please contact NVAR Government Affairs at govaffairs@nvar.com.



Josh Veverka is the NVAR government affairs director.