JAMES CITY COUNTY — James City County (JCC) Board of Supervisors (BOS) held a special meeting on Thursday, Aug. 8, at Legacy Hall to give its input on the design of the proposed new Government Center.
A new consolidated facility has been in discussion for years with government leaders who entered an interim agreement with Henderson Inc./Gilbane in November 2023. The proposed location would be centrally located at Longhill Road and DePue Drive.
The interim agreement allows for up to a 30% design on the facility.
Since that time the county has worked with the developer, with input from both employees and citizens, regarding the need for the new space.
“As we have gone through this Government Center process, we formed an internal working group that reviewed the proposals and have worked diligently — and spent a ton of hours and a lot of time — working with our architects and the builder and the engineering folks to get us to where we are today,” stated JCC Assistant County Administrator Brad Rinehimer at the special meeting.
The programming phase — where the group decided how much space was needed, what departments would be in the building along with where they would be located in terms of who is going to be next to who in the building — has been completed stated Rinehimer.
“We got to that point where we wanted to do some drawings — some schematics — and putting some floor plans in place. Where we really need some direction from the Board on what you want to see,” Rinehimer continued, “So, that is where we are at and why we are here today.”
The board was asked for input regarding the site layout, parking, exterior concepts and inclusion of school administration.
Concepts for the facility, presented by Brad Sipes of GuernseyTingle, included three building layout designs for the site, all of which utilize natural night and consider a number of floors and entry points.
Considering the feedback that each concept received, one building plan stood out. This option allowed for an open and inviting entrance, good separation for the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the ability to incorporate a school administration building into the site plan. In addition, this layout would allow for a secured parking garage to be constructed underneath the building.
Sipes stated, “We are not looking for a conclusion. What (Board Chair Ruth Larson) just said is great information, so if everybody is similar that gives us a direction to head. Our goal is to take all the information, go away and come back with options. We just want to be pointed in the right direction.”
The general consensus from the board was to keep the structure limited to three stories.
Vice-Chair Jim Icenhour, in discussing the new facility, expressed finding a balance between large amounts of glass for natural light while considering the potential threats hurricane damage can cause.
“I would like to see in the building is a structure that is warm and welcoming, not intimidating,” said Board member John McGlennon, “When you come into a building where the government is providing services, you want to make people feel comfortable. Like they belong there.”
Barbara Null stated she would like more flowing lines and curvatures that feel welcoming along with the addition of some metal materials.
Regarding the build of a school administration facility, “One thing that is important to point out, whether we stay together or separate, we know that sometime in the future school admin needs a spot,” stated Larson.
Rinehimer agreed, “We are developing the site to be able to accommodate (a new school administration building). That is something we have talked about from the very beginning.”
Outside space for dining and seating was another board recommendation.
Upon conclusion of the discussion, the consensus was the board felt positively about site layout and building design.
The feedback from the board will be used to assist in creating a more defined concept to be presented to the Board of Supervisors at a later date.
Watch the meeting online here.
