Augusta County issued the following announcement on Nov. 30
The Augusta County Board of Supervisors is excited to consider the approval of a proposed arrangement with the City of Staunton which ensures the city’s support of suggested legislation to the General Assembly authorizing the county to build a modern, secure, and consolidated court facility in Verona at substantially less cost to county taxpayers.
The proposed arrangement offers mutual understanding for a long-term solution to improving the County’s circuit, general district, and juvenile and domestic relations district courts. Under this arrangement, the county will transfer the historic 1901 courthouse, district court buildings, and adjacent properties to the city, contingent upon approval by the General Assembly of the recently proposed legislation.
Board chair Gerald Garber stated, “Consolidating our courts in Verona would be the most economic and efficient solution and would effectively move the county seat to the county. Placing our court system in close proximity to our government processes would strengthen both while setting the stage for Augusta County's future. This fitting solution could not happen without the certainty of the City of Staunton being an excellent steward of the historic properties.”
A newly built, consolidated court facility near the Government Center would meet all of the current and long-term space, security, and accessibility needs for the three courts. Energy-efficient, build-to-suit development would easily accommodate current and future technology demands. The proximity of a new courthouse in Verona to county departments, agencies and authorities, including the regional jail and Sheriff’s office, makes this location ideal for operational and cost effectiveness, for convenient access to the highway, and for ample and free parking. Additionally, the establishment of a centralized government complex increases the potential for economic growth in and around the area, expanding a tax base that ultimately benefits Augusta County citizens.
The board has pursued numerous solutions to address the building and renovation of a suitable, secure, and safe courts facility in downtown Staunton. Efforts have been challenged with legal restrictions dictating the location, significant construction limitations including the demolition of existing buildings and complications from building within a floodplain, and the size and aesthetics of new buildings in compliance with Staunton’s historical preservation requirements. Moreover, construction and restoration of existing court facilities in Staunton is unlikely to meet all of the guidelines for court facilities as outlined in the Supreme Court’s Virginia Courthouse Facility Guidelines. The board saw no remaining options in the city to build a court facility that met the guidelines and complied with state law governing location and that was suitable to Staunton’s historic development desires.
The Board will consider approval of the proposed arrangement at their next meeting at 7 p.m. on December 8, 2021, at the Government Center.
Original source can be found here.
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