Falls Church Library Renovation Project's Finish Date Pushed Back

FALLS CHURCH, VA — Completion of the Mary Riley Styles Public Library expansion and renovation project is projected to be one month behind schedule.

The City of Falls Church library at 120 North Virginia Avenue is undergoing a renovation and construction of a 6,600-square-foot addition. Construction was originally expected to end in May 2021, but the new timeline was represented Monday to City Council. Substantial completion is now set for May 15 and final completion for June 15, according to a city staff report presented to City Council. The staff report cites inclement weather largely in August as a reason for the extended timeline.

Project manager Lionel Millard expects the substantial completion date and final completion date to be pushed back again but did not have an estimate on how many days. He told City Council the opening to the public would be three to four weeks after completion due to moving and setup. According to Millard, an estimate on the safe side would be a mid-July grand opening.

Library director Jenny Carroll is hopeful the library can open to the public with COVID-19 protocols. She told City Council the library is exploring a spectrum of options, from the current curbside service, to express service in the building and building tours, to browsing and opening of seating.

"Depending on what happens in the next three to four months, we'll determine where we land on that spectrum," said Carroll.

The project is reported to be on budget, and the fixtures, furniture and equipment came in under budget.

The library was temporarily relocated to trailers outside Thomas Jefferson Elementary School (601 South Oak Street) in March 2020 for the renovation project. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the library is operating only with curbside pickup service Monday through Saturday.

For more information about the project, visit www.fallschurchva.gov/670/Expansion-and-Renovation-Project.