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Consultant outlines master facilities plan and proposed new judicial center for Fauquier County
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Summary
Dewberry presented Phase 3 of a 10-year master facilities plan recommending a new judicial center near existing sheriff and detention facilities, increasing court-related space from roughly 34,000 to 61,500 net square feet (gross about 89,200) and outlining an April design start with completion of construction projected into FY2031.
Consultants from Dewberry presented results of Phase 3 of the county’s master facilities plan, focusing on a proposed new judicial center sited between the sheriff’s office and the adult detention center. The firm said the study moves the county from about 34,000 square feet of court-related space to a 10-year projection of roughly 61,500 net square feet, yielding a gross building estimate of about 89,200 square feet.
"The goal was a 10 year master plan for the capital facilities for the county to understand what's the best use of the county properties," the lead presenter said, describing six concept options and the team’s selection of a preferred site. The presentation noted Historic District and zoning constraints and said a special-use permit and certificate of appropriateness would be required for taller heights in the Central Business District. The preferred partial-site option places the facility between the adult detention center and the sheriff's administrative building to enable secure circulation and adjacencies.
Consultants emphasized operational and security needs: separate public, secure staff/judiciary and detainee circulation paths, a central holding area adjacent to a magistrate space and secure Sally Port access from Key Street. "We're able to get the magistrate port component right here... right next to the Sheriff's holding on the lowest level," the presenter said, describing how detainees could be moved without crossing public areas.
Board members pressed the team on the size and projected growth assumptions. "Fauquier County is negligible to moderate growth at best," one supervisor said, questioning an 80% increase in space needs. The consultant replied the growth projection is driven mainly by bringing existing facilities up to Commonwealth guideline standards and by operational and security requirements rather than population increases: "It's not so much growth ... It's mostly just to get you folks where you should be today."
The presentation included massing options and a height discussion; the consultant said a four-floor solution would reach roughly 64 feet from the Lee Street side with parapets and mechanical penthouse elements potentially increasing top elevation and that architectural treatment and setbacks could be used to reduce perceived bulk. The timeline shown placed a possible design start as early as April with 18 months for design, a four-month bidding window and approximately 30 months of construction, carrying completion into fiscal year 2031.
County staff noted preliminary funding available for design and work with financial advisors to present a financing plan that would aim to minimize taxpayer impact. "We already have about 2 and a half million dollars set aside," a county finance representative told the board.
The board did not take a final vote on the project during this work session; staff said project figures will be incorporated into the county administrator's proposed budget and that the next public review opportunity would be the capital improvements plan and budget public hearings.
