JAMES CITY COUNTY — James City County hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to begin construction on its brand new Government Center Wednesday, Nov. 12.
The James City County Board of Supervisors approved a special use permit in June to allow construction of its $189.5 million county government center.
The project will consolidate 12 county functions into one building at a location in the center of the county at Longhill Road and DePue Drive, replacing current facilities in the southern end of the county at 101 Mounts Bay Road. Those six individual buildings and several other spaces scattered throughout the county mostly date to the 1970s.
Some in the community have questioned the cost and need for the project, however, the board said in June the cost of building a new center is comparable to the price of maintaining and updating the current facilities, and will last longer.
“This is an important project for the community. Not just the county, but all of us that are members and residents here,” said Scott Stevens, County Administrator for James City County.
“Ultimately, the purpose of this government center is to better serve our citizens. It represents greater efficiency in many ways. It brings together departments that are currently spread out all over the county under a single roof in a relatively centralized location,” said Jim Icenhour, chair of the James City County Board of Supervisors. “This will make it easier for citizens to locate services they need. It will also improve efficiency and collaboration among county employees from who it would be easier to meet and share resources.”
For more information about the Government Center, visit the official James City County page for the project.
