Based on case load projections, the Albemarle County General District Court needs to add another 25,000 square feet to its 18,000-square-foot facility at Court Square. This morning, county supervisors authorized staff to hire a firm to review case load projections, court feasibility studies and potential use of the Levy building—a 150-year-old opera house purchased jointly by the county and the City of Charlottesville in 2004. The county agreed to fund up to $35,000 of the study’s cost through its "Court Square Enhancement" fund.
Current projections show an increase in county cases through 2030. However, supervisors said court studies should look at projections and potential use beyond the next two decades. Supervisor Dennis Rooker said that renovation of the Juvenile & Domestic Court—the former occupant of the Levy building—took a long time, and left "12 [or 13] years of projected use."
"A lot of money was spent on that," said Rooker. "I think we need to be looking at a longer horizon than 20 years." In addition to evaluating case trends and the county’s interest in the Levy building, a study will also look to alternative sites for court operations.
Coincidentally, a discussion of the county’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) funding followed the court presentation. The discussion touched on potential ways to boost CIP funds for future projects, including the sale of county land and assets.
"I certainly would not be in favor of trying to sell any of our larger pieces [of land]," said Supervisor Ann Mallek. She added that larger properties were discussed moments before as potential sites for a new court.
Supervisors heard a variety of funding ideas, from restructuring debt to dedicating part of the county’s tax rate to the CIP. Supervisor Ken Boyd said he would like to see CIP projects, from a new Crozet library to multiple county school projects, lined up and prioritized. New County Executive Thomas Foley said staff will plan a CIP work session with supervisors to further discuss additional funding sources.
