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Moseley Designs Concept for Move to Verona
In a position paper, the Circuit Court Judge wrote that all County court spaces were insufficient. Moseley Architects performed a space needs analysis & conceptual design for a new courts facility at the Government Center in Verona. This plan was based on all three courts in one building: Circuit, General District, and Juvenile & Domestic Relations Courts. Moseley Space Needs Study/Verona Concept -
Frazier Consolidated Concept Not Feasible
Staunton hired Frazier and Assoc. who completed a study for consolidation of Augusta and Staunton courts. The study found that 30,167 additional square feet would be needed along with the use of three courts buildings in Staunton. This option would require both Augusta and Staunton to hold successful referendums to consolidate three constitutional offices. Conditions were not favorable to consolidate the Augusta and Staunton courts. Frazier Consolidated Concept -
Public Votes Not to Move from Staunton to Verona
Leading up to the referendum, a great deal of public forums, including town hall meetings, were used as opportunities to educate the public and allow for questions. According to VA Code, the language of the ballot was restricted to only include location and cost with no additional explanation. Results of the referendum: 32.95% voted 'yes' and 67.05%, 'no.' -
Lineage Expansion Plan Denied by City
A plan was presented to expand the Circuit Courthouse that would include room for General District Court, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court and associated court functions. The plan would include acquiring property along Barrister's Row and closing a portion of that street. The project was determined not feasible as the City would not allow buildings located along Barrister's Row to be demolished. Lineage Plan -
Gen Assembly Allows Expansion Across Street
The General Assembly voted to amend the Virginia Code to include contiguous property across the street when considering the relocation or expansion of a courthouse. -
Rebuilding on District Court Site Pursued
Moseley Architects was hired for architectural and engineering services for the following tasks:
1. Demolition and rebuilding on the current General District Courts site
2. Renovation of the 1901 Circuit Courthouse to office space
3. Relocation of courts to Beverley Manor Elementary School (temporary space) -
New County Board Takes Office
Divided sentiment on the Board of Supervisors over rebuilding on the District Courts site delayed moving forward with the project direction. The Board continued to express concerns over building in a floodway along with the cost to build temporary facilities. The flooding in downtown Staunton in August validated the concerns. -
Attempts to Buy Bank Property Abandoned
Moseley presented concepts for building a new courthouse complex on the Union Bank property to ensure that space needs could be met by the property. After many discussions over the years (starting in 2015), in addition to pursuing the bank property with renewed vigor from February 2020- August 2021, the County accepted that the owners were not interested in selling. -
Property Opportunities Arise
Cottonwood Commercial was hired to research and acquire purchase options on nine properties adjacent to the 1901 historic Courthouse. -
COA Submitted to Historic Preservation Commission
Augusta County submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to the City of Staunton’s Historic Preservation Commission. The application includes descriptions, drawings, photographs, plans, and documentation that are required by the commission. -
Historic Commission Denies COA
Staunton City's Historic Preservation Commission denies the certificate of appropriateness application. The County appeals the decision and the appeal is scheduled to be considered at the City's Council meeting on November 12. Upon mutual agreement, the date for the appeal is postponed to December and then January. -
Joint Statement from County, City
A Joint Statement from Augusta County and the City of Staunton updates the public about the productive ongoing discussions progressing towards positive solutions for the courthouse project. -
Notice of Appeal Withdrawn
In the spirit of continued collaboration, Augusta County withdraws the Notice of Appeal. -
Circuit Court Order Against Board of Supervisors
With limited options for the location of a new courthouse facility and significant constraints including legal limitations and historic Staunton requirements regarding demolition and aesthetic views, the Board of Supervisors announced that the Circuit Court Chief Judge has entered an order against them pursuant to Virginia Code 15.2-1643, beginning the judicial process to address the needs for a secure and safe courts facility. -
Legislation before the Virginia General Assembly
Legislation was introduced in the General Assembly to allow Augusta County to ask county citizens to decide the location of the courthouse as part of a referendum for the election in November 2022. By the regular session’s conclusion in mid-March, the General Assembly approved legislation as originally written, and the legislation went to the Governor's office for signing into law. -
Governor Youngkin Signs Courthouse Legislation
Governor Glenn Youngkin signs courthouse legislation, granting Augusta County voters the opportunity to decide the location of the Augusta County courthouse in a referendum held during the November 8, 2022, election. -
Citizens Vote to Construct in Verona
Augusta County overwhelmingly votes to build the new courthouse in Verona.
