County Manager Proposes $4.3 Billion, 10-Year Capital Improvement Plan

Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz presented his proposed FY 2027–2036 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to the Arlington County Board on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. The proposal outlines $4.3 billion in investments in the County’s transportation infrastructure, water and sewer systems, stormwater management, technology, parks and recreation, and more over the next 10 years.

"With the realities of our current fiscal environment, this CIP proposal focuses on maintaining the County’s current assets and facilities so we can continue to provide the core services and quality of life that our community deserves,” Schwartz said. “But I am proud that even this constrained CIP prioritizes environmental and community resiliency, strengthens our financial sustainability, and is designed to be responsive to future capital needs in Arlington.”

The proposed CIP was developed in the same challenging economic environment as the FY 2027 Operating Budget. The past three years have largely been characterized by slow revenue growth and increased expenses, along with impacts of the federal budget, ongoing pressures from high office vacancy rates, and the increased need for the County’s social safety net programs and services. In addition, the CIP is affected by additional pressures from construction inflation and potentially higher interest rates on bonds.

The CIP proposal was informed by more than 1,800 people who weighed in on their top priorities for maintaining major infrastructure investments in streets, parks, technology, and critical infrastructure. In addition, during the engagement for the FY 2027 operating budget, community members voiced strong support for the County to maintain existing facilities and infrastructure rather than invest in new projects.
 View the Proposed CIP FY 2027-FY 2036 Infographic
 
The proposal is guided by key principles:

• Meeting regional and regulatory obligations;
• Maintaining the County’s existing assets;
• Strengthening financial sustainability;
• Supporting the environment and community resiliency;
• Responding to emerging service demands

Given the proposed CIP’s focus on the needs of maintaining what the County has, the Plan chooses to defer investments in new facilities as far out over the 10-year span as possible.

The General Fund supported portion of the proposed CIP reflects more than $1.5 billion—or 49% of the CIP budget dedicated to maintaining the County's existing assets and infrastructure. This includes bridges, streets, sidewalks, technology and equipment, and parks improvements such as turf fields and courts.

While “state of good repair” investments are always a priority in Arlington’s CIP, this proposal accelerates several projects, particularly in the facilities area, to avoid potential impacts on day-to-day services. Investments in this area include the Arlington County Detention Facility, the Courts-Police Building, the Ballston Public Parking Garage, and enhancing the maintenance programs for the County’s owned and leased facilities.

The CIP proposal was also designed to respond to emerging needs and service demands, including:

• Addressing the upcoming almost half-billion-dollar need in legacy and new affordable housing investment
• Investing in facilities for behavior health services, including continuing work on the Carlin Springs site
• Improving and expanding capacity for the County’s Homeless Services Center
• Pursuing tree planting and invasive species removal
• Adjusting the footprint for County staff to consolidate workspaces

The CIP also includes investments in priority projects for the Arlington community, including Rosslyn Gateway Park, Vision Zero street safety improvements, additional Metro entrances at Ballston-MU and Crystal City, stormwater capacity improvements and water quality, and creation of a situational awareness center for public safety and emergency preparedness.

Proposed 2026 Bond Referendum

In this proposal, the County Manager is seeking $182.3 million in new bonds to pay for many of the improvements planned in the CIP. The County’s bond request will be put to Arlington voters in multiple referenda in the upcoming November election, pending review and approval by the County Board.

The following items are proposed to be included in the referenda:

• Community Infrastructure: $56.8 million for projects and programs, such as the Courts/Police & Detention Center improvements, Central Library upgrades, Ballston Parking Garage, and other general critical system infrastructure
• Metro & Transportation: $69.7 million, which includes $46.3 million for Metro, $25.0 million for paving, and smaller amounts for various transportation maintenance needs
• Parks & Recreation: $34.9 million for construction of Drew Park and Gateway Park in Rosslyn, the Emerging Uses and Natural Resiliency programs, trail and bridge modernization, land acquisition, and a variety of park renovations and improvements. 
• Utilities: $20.7 million, primarily for the County’s capital contributions to the Washington Aqueduct and for various water and sewer maintenance projects

Arlington Public Schools is also seeking voters’ input on its proposed $60 million in new bonds for renovations to Jamestown and Oakridge elementary schools, which will be incorporated into the County referenda after the school adopts their CIP in June.

About the CIP

The CIP is part of the County’s Comprehensive Plan and is a 10-year plan for building, maintaining, upgrading, or replacing County facilities and infrastructure. It is prepared every two years, with any adopted general obligation bond referenda presented to voters in November of even numbered years.

The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is one of the most significant planning processes for Arlington County, as it typically aims to identify the capital needs of the community over a 10-year period.

Next Steps

The public will have several ways to learn more about the County Manager’s proposed CIP during a series of work sessions, followed by a Public Hearing with the County Board on July 7, 2026. An interactive project map will also be available on the County’s CIP page to track projects across the County.

See the full calendar of key dates with links to more information on the County website.

Media Contact

Erika Moore
ehmoore@arlingtonva.us

 

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