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Nelson County approves schematic design for new Social Services building at Tanbark site
Summary
The Board unanimously approved PMA Architecture’s schematic design for a new Department of Social Services building at the Tanbark site on U.S. 29, authorizing the firm to proceed to design development with a target bid package in March 2025 and an estimated 18-month construction timeline.
Nelson County supervisors on Oct. 8 approved the schematic design for a new Department of Social Services (DSS) office at the Tanbark site off U.S. 29 and authorized PMA Architecture to proceed with design development.
PMA architects presented site plans showing the building positioned closer to Tanbark Plaza with parking, two 24-foot-wide entrances, and a training/conference room intended for after-hours community use while the rest of the building can be secured. Architect Jeff Stodghill said the design would create “a good gateway piece of architecture for the community” and emphasized efforts to limit impervious cover to reduce stormwater demands.
The project timeline presented to the Board calls for approval of schematic design on Oct. 8, a design development presentation in December 2024, and a final authorization to bid on March 11, 2025. Stodghill estimated six weeks for bidding and about 18 months for construction if the project proceeds on schedule.
Supervisor Dr. Jessica L. Ligon asked whether a formal value‑engineering review was built into the schedule; Stodghill said the County could commission a third‑party value engineering study but that it would add cost and should be scheduled to avoid delaying the design timeline. County Administrator Candice W. McGarry said staff could pursue hiring a project manager or third‑party reviewer if the Board wanted that analysis.
The Board adopted Resolution R2024-68 unanimously (3-0 at the time of the vote), authorizing PMA to move into design development and returning to the Board in December with cost updates. The schematic approval does not commit the County to final construction funding; the project still requires subsequent design approvals and appropriation of construction funds.
The meeting record shows the DSS Design Committee conducted multiple meetings since December 2023 and that the design arose from a space needs assessment. PMA and County staff said the training room was sized for DSS training needs and intentionally not enlarged into a larger public assembly space because of budget constraints.
Next steps: design development materials and an updated cost estimate will be presented to the Board in December 2024; the firm expects to request authorization to bid in March 2025.
