As a way to improve the marketability of the Route 50/29 corridor, the Lee Highway Task Force requested the Mayor and City Council consider a name change for Route 50. 

Prior to July 2005, Route 50 within the City limits had three different names.  Along the 3.5 mile stretch of highway, Route 50 was known as Arlington Boulevard, Lee Highway and Main Street.

It was believed that a name change to Fairfax Boulevard would, in time, have a positive effect for businesses.  Fairfax Boulevard would be a powerful marketing tool and help create a sense of place, unique to the City of Fairfax. 

The name change in conjunction with the newly established Business Improvement District, a new signage program, and an aggressive marketing campaign would create an address of distinction and ultimately would make it easier for customers to identify where a business is located within the corridor.

The Mayor and City Council passed a resolution to rename Route 50 to Fairfax Boulevard effective July 2005.