Board hears Government Center library update; approves $900,000 design change order for off-site roads

James City County staff presented schematic designs and a timeline for a proposed library addition to the consolidated Government Center, and supervisors approved a design change order for off-site road improvements not to exceed $900,000.

The presentation, delivered during the Board of Supervisors’ business meeting on June 24, described a library roughly 25,000 square feet in size attached to the Government Center and intended to house a technology branch with a makerspace, study rooms, a café and public programming space. Brad Reinheimer, James City County staff, said the schematic design phase is underway and that two public input meetings are scheduled July 7 and July 9 at the rec center. “It’s coming along, certainly change is being made but it’s looking really good,” Reinheimer said.

The nut of the matter is timing and connectivity: staff said they expect final site plan approval in September, to present the first phase of a comprehensive agreement to the Board in September or October, and to begin land-disturbing work and planned site work in October or November. Reinheimer said the library design has been reduced from a placeholder 50,000-square-foot figure in the capital improvements plan to roughly 25,000 square feet; the CIP entry of $49.5 million for the Government Center will be “significantly less” for the library portion, staff said, without giving a precise final construction cost.

Design details shown to the Board emphasized shaded overhangs, louvers and higher-performance glazing to address solar heat gain. Reinheimer and other staff said exterior materials are intended to visually connect the new library wing to the Government Center while allowing it to remain distinct. The presentation included floor plans showing a ground-floor service desk, adult collections, study rooms and staff spaces, and an upper floor with open circulation intended to provide daylight and visibility.

On traffic and site access, staff recommended and the Board approved a change order to the second interim agreement with the Henderson Gilbane joint venture to perform engineering and design for off-site road improvements. County staff explained that the same design group previously completed a traffic study and that using the same team will allow the off-site improvements to be designed in a way that can later be expanded to account for potential future development at Eastern State Hospital/Cardinal Ridge without redoing new roadway work. The resolution authorized design work in an amount not to exceed $900,000; staff said funding is available in the county’s transportation match budget and recommended adoption. The Board voted by roll call to approve the change order.

Why this matters: the Government Center project — including the library addition and related roadwork — represents a significant public investment that affects circulation, parking and long-term county facilities planning. The Board heard both design and programmatic rationales and directed staff to continue community outreach. Reinheimer encouraged residents to review project documents and prior meeting materials on the county website and to contact staff with questions.

Staff indicated additional interior-design decisions are underway and said renderings and more detailed materials will be brought back to the Board. The item concluded with staff offering to answer follow-up questions as the project moves from schematic design toward final site plan approval.