Spotsylvania supervisors approve projects

Date published: 7/26/2006

By GEORGE WHITEHURST

Spotsylvania County soon will spend up to $4.6 million on design work for new circuit courtroom space, a new Sheriff's Office and emergency dispatch center, and plans for widening a portion of U.S. 17 Bypass.

The Board of Supervisors last night voted 6-0 to approve a contract with Moseley Architects to design the additional courtroom, judge's chambers and office space needed by the Spotsylvania Circuit Court.

The contract also includes design work for the planned public safety building, which will contain both the Sheriff's Office and a new dispatch center.

The cost of Moseley's design work cannot exceed $4.4 million on this portion of the county's master plan for its hub of government offices at Spotsylvania Courthouse.

County staff originally had recommended hiring separate architects for judicial center and the Sheriff's Office.

But earlier this month, the supervisors indicated the two projects should be treated as components of a larger plan. Deputy County Administrator Doug Barnes said that directive led staff to reconsider its call for two designers.

"We see several advantages to having to deal with only one architect," he told the board.

The supervisors then approved the contract with no discussion.

They also unanimously approved a $200,000 contract with the county's general engineering consultant to provide preliminary engineering work on plans to widen a portion of U.S. 17 Bypass.

Money to pay for the design work will come from sales taxes generated by Cosner's Corner--the massive shopping complex being developed by the Silver Cos. at the corner of U.S. 1 and 17 Bypass.

Supervisor Chris Yakabouski wanted to know how soon Silver will pay the next installment of its proffers stemming from the rezonings for Cosner's Corner. Deputy County Administrator Ernie Pennington replied that the county soon will receive $50,000 from July 11 rezoning for a planned Home Depot at the new shopping complex.

Supervisor Vince Onorato then wanted to know about a parcel of land adjoining Cosner's Corner that Silver agreed to set aside in case a new Interstate 95 interchange was ever built there. He said it now appears any new interchange will be built elsewhere, and suggested the county should soon return the land to Silver in exchange for additional cash contributions to a planned traffic study for the area.

The supervisors delayed discussion and action on the School Board's recommendation to award a contract to the Baskerville firm to design the proposed school bus/county vehicle garage.

The $11.5 million facility will be located next to Riverview Elementary School in Thornburg. Money for the project is coming from the bond referendum approved by county voters last November.

The School Board and the supervisors have long dreamed of setting up a facility to service both school system and county vehicles. The project hit snags earlier this year as questions arose about who should manage the construction of the project and who should run the garage.

During a brief discussion before a closed session, Onorato asked about a flier announcing a meeting, to be held today at the Holbert Building, regarding the proposed bypass on State Route 208 at Spotsylvania Courthouse.

The list of attendees includes former Supervisor Mary Lee Carter, now a member of the Commonwealth Transportation Board; and Board of Supervisors Chairman Hap Connors, Supervisor T.C. Waddy and representatives of the Civil War Preservation Trust.

Onorato and Supervisor Gary Jackson expressed concern that the gathering might prove a de facto supervisors meeting.

Connors replied that it was an informational meeting only and pledged a full report to his colleagues.

To reach GEORGE WHITEHURST: 540/374-5438
Email: gwhitehurst@freelancestar.com

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Date published: 7/26/2006