In 2022, a court order by the Commonwealth of Virginia instructed Augusta County and the City of Staunton to no longer share a building for court services in downtown Staunton.
On Election Day, Augusta County voters made it clear that they preferred the county build a new courthouse in Verona for $80 million instead of on the site of the current building on Johnson Street. However, Staunton had yet to find a new location for its Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court building.
After several possibilities, including the idea to build on the Hardy Lot on Market Street, which many residents were opposed to, luck was on the city’s side and the property at 2040 W. Beverley Street was available. Many residents recognized the lot as having been the site of Big Lots and Heck’s department store. Stella Mia Pizzeria remains in the same parking lot.
“The project is on schedule and on budget,” said John Keene, Staunton’s project manager for the new court building on the West End.
Keene spoke at Thursday’s regular meeting of Staunton City Council, and, while council members were relieved to hear that the project is on time and on budget, he reminded them that the work is dependent upon weather conditions.
Sixty-three percent of the work is complete, including underground utilities, according to Keene, who presented council with photos taken by Staunton Engagement & Communications Manager Josh Knight, which compare the site last year and the site in May 2025.
“Wow, it’s like it just popped up out of the ground,” Staunton Mayor Michele Edwards said.
The city has obtained all necessary utility easements, and, after they are installed, some paving will be done on the lot.
“Building exterior construction is substantially complete,” Keene said.
The roof is complete and a front entrance is visible.
Inside, framing “is substantially complete,” with drywalling being done now. Ceiling work is 85 percent complete.
The generator and elevators have been procured and are on site ready for installation.
“Right now, we have no concerns about any material that may hold up the final product,” Keene said.
HVAC and sprinkler system have been installed and inspected.
Selections for furniture and equipment are in progress by staff.
“Everybody has been involved in these meetings. All the furniture has been selected. It should go out to vendors either next week or the week after,” Keene said. “The only caveat to that is, we’ll see what the pricing is first before we buy it, because we have a budget we’re going to meet.”
Advantages came from court and sheriff’s office staff meeting together to make decisions about furniture and decor.
“I think it’s going to be very uniform appearance throughout the court room. I think people will really be impressed,” Keene said.
The building’s roof is prepared if, at a later time, the city would like to install solar panels.
Keene said that city council might want to discuss how far it would like to pave the lot for parking. Councilmember Jeff Overholtzer said that Staunton Economic Development Authority reported the consideration of a green space project.
Project completion is anticipated for November 1, 2025.
Future updates and additional background from the city are available online.
Related stories:
‘A new civic and community anchor’: Staunton breaks ground on new Juvenile & DR building
Update: Construction on new Staunton J&DR District Court facility on schedule
Verona: Construction of new Augusta County courthouse continues under budget
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Rebecca Barnabi
