This piece was first published on PotomacLocal.com
STAFFORD — The Stafford County Board of Supervisors will meet Tuesday, June 5 to consider adopting the 2018-2019 capital improvement plan.
Earlier in May, the Board heard from the members of the county’s infrastructure committee about a plan to build an addition to the current courthouse. County officials have planned to redevelop the area at the intersection of Route 1 and Courthouse Road, for several years, around the existing courthouse into an area called “downtown Stafford.”
“At first we believed it would be good to have a new Courthouse across Courthouse Road with some mixed-use buildings,” said Falmouth District Supervisor Meg Bohmke. “However after meeting with our development team, they have advised the County to improve the current Courthouse building on the current administrative building site and use the land across the street for an entire mixed-use project since the County owns most of the land.
The estimated cost of the new courthouse is $52 million, down from $71 million, a figure that officials tossed out earlier this year.
“We anticipate that this project will not have an impact on the county debt service or bond rating,” said Bohmke. “We are continuing to work with our development consultant team and please know the Board of Supervisors has not voted on the new downtown project and Courthouse expansion project at this time.”
The Board of Supervisors has had many joint meetings with the County School Board this year to discuss the schools CIP projects, such as the rebuild/renovation of Ferry Farm Elementary in southern portion of the county , as well as the purchase of the vacant Fredericksburg Christian School in North Stafford to house students in the school division’s head start and the pre-k programs. Right now, they’re housed in each elementary school buildings across the county.
The building of a new Courthouse and/or renovation of the existing Courthouse will directly impact the ability to fund a rebuild/renovation of Ferry Farm Elementary, as well as a new high and elementary school which are also needed to address the growing student population in the school system.
“Members of each Board are concerned about the money that should be set aside for Ferry Farm Elementary school given its current old status,” said Bohmke. “The schools A/C and Heating system needs replacement along with other technological improvements. The entire basement of Ferry Farm is not being utilized for educational purposes due to the air quality problems in the basement area.”
Current conversations from the Board, Ferry Farm will most likely be a renovation, not a rebuild. The Board typically votes on rebuilds when they are adding capacity to a school. However, this has not been voted on and could change in the final vote.
STAFFORD — The Stafford County Board of Supervisors will meet Tuesday, June 5 to consider adopting the 2018-2019 capital improvement plan.
Earlier in May, the Board heard from the members of the county’s infrastructure committee about a plan to build an addition to the current courthouse. County officials have planned to redevelop the area at the intersection of Route 1 and Courthouse Road, for several years, around the existing courthouse into an area called “downtown Stafford.”
“At first we believed it would be good to have a new Courthouse across Courthouse Road with some mixed-use buildings,” said Falmouth District Supervisor Meg Bohmke. “However after meeting with our development team, they have advised the County to improve the current Courthouse building on the current administrative building site and use the land across the street for an entire mixed-use project since the County owns most of the land.
The estimated cost of the new courthouse is $52 million, down from $71 million, a figure that officials tossed out earlier this year.
“We anticipate that this project will not have an impact on the county debt service or bond rating,” said Bohmke. “We are continuing to work with our development consultant team and please know the Board of Supervisors has not voted on the new downtown project and Courthouse expansion project at this time.”
The Board of Supervisors has had many joint meetings with the County School Board this year to discuss the schools CIP projects, such as the rebuild/renovation of Ferry Farm Elementary in southern portion of the county , as well as the purchase of the vacant Fredericksburg Christian School in North Stafford to house students in the school division’s head start and the pre-k programs. Right now, they’re housed in each elementary school buildings across the county.
The building of a new Courthouse and/or renovation of the existing Courthouse will directly impact the ability to fund a rebuild/renovation of Ferry Farm Elementary, as well as a new high and elementary school which are also needed to address the growing student population in the school system.
“Members of each Board are concerned about the money that should be set aside for Ferry Farm Elementary school given its current old status,” said Bohmke. “The schools A/C and Heating system needs replacement along with other technological improvements. The entire basement of Ferry Farm is not being utilized for educational purposes due to the air quality problems in the basement area.”
Current conversations from the Board, Ferry Farm will most likely be a renovation, not a rebuild. The Board typically votes on rebuilds when they are adding capacity to a school. However, this has not been voted on and could change in the final vote.
“We are still evaluating all of the options with the Courthouse project, Fredericksburg Christian School all while trying to find additional funds to fully renovate Ferry Farm Elementary,” Bohmke said. “I do not believe it is feasible to spend $10 million now for Ferry Farm and then to come back in 8-10 years and complete the remainder of the project.”
Chris Hirons 