Consultants lay out $37M plan for new Fluvanna government center; supervisors weigh timing and water needs

Consultants presented a multi‑phase plan on March 4 for a new Fluvanna government center and associated renovations that would consolidate social services, health, planning and other county offices into a new 63,874 square‑foot facility and repurpose the existing administration and social‑services buildings.

The consultant described programmatic space (public‑access services on the main floor, social services and health on the lower floor, administrative offices above), a 100‑seat board chamber, a secure courthouse connector and a phased schedule that places design work in FY2027 and construction beginning in FY2028. The preliminary construction estimate for the new administration building was presented at about $37 million; later phases (existing administration renovation, social services renovation, public‑safety additions) were shown as additional future costs.

County leaders expressed concerns about phasing, deferred maintenance, and how water and sewer improvements at Pleasant Grove might affect siting and costs. County administration noted it has included initial design dollars in the proposed FY2027 CIP but recommended the board weigh whether to authorize full design work pending clarity on water‑supply options and related capacity questions.

A number of supervisors and public commenters urged caution about committing to full construction now, citing rising construction costs and unresolved questions on water supply; others argued delaying design adds inflationary cost risk and that deferred maintenance across existing county buildings will only grow if unaddressed.

The board asked staff to continue refining the design scope, phasing options and cost contingencies and to return with more detailed debt‑service and funding options. The presentation and materials are available on the county meeting page.