Patrick Henry Library Demolition Approaches To Make Way For New Library, Parking Garage

VIENNA, VA — Fairfax County Public Library has announced construction updates for Patrick Henry Library, which will be demolished and replaced with the new Vienna-Carter Library and a parking garage.

According to the library system, design and bidding were completed in July. On Sept. 18, a construction contract was awarded to Costello Construction of Maryland.

Next up is construction fencing, permits and site preparation in late fall 2025. Demolition is expected to start in early 2026. Project completion is aimed for early 2028.

The library at 101 Maple Avenue East will be replaced with a larger 19,000-square-foot library with features like a children’s reading area, study rooms, a staff workroom, flexible community spaces, an outdoor reading area. The flexible community assembly room will be available events during and after library hours. Landscaping and wider sidewalks will seek to enhance the Maple Avenue streetscape, according to the library system.

The project will seek LEED Gold certification and include a net zero energy design. Features to achieve net zero will include geothermal heating and cooling system, enhanced building envelope and energy-saving systems, solar panels, electric vehicle charging stations, green materials promoting indoor air quality and improved stormwater management through underground chambers.

The library will be accompanied by a four-level, 209-space parking garage, which includes 125 spaces for library users and the remaining 84 parking spaces for commuter and public parking. The Town of Vienna is sharing project costs for the parking garage with Fairfax County.

The permanent library at 101 Maple Avenue W closed on May 9. In the meantime, a temporary location opened on July 23 at the Cedar Park Shopping Center (262 Cedar Lane Suite C, Vienna, VA) The 2,800-square-foot temporary location is a quick service library with a small browsing section, pickup of holds, returns, public Wi-Fi, Chromebooks for on-site use and select programming like story time. A book drop is located outside the library, and bathrooms are located inside.

The Fairfax County Public Library's Board of Trustees voted to rename Patrick Henry Library to the Vienna-Carter Library when the new library opens. The name honors the Carter family, a multiracial family with roots in Vienna and Fairfax County history. One member of the family, William McKinley Carter was a charter member of the Fairfax County NAACP and helped establish an integrated county library branch in the Town of Vienna.