Council approves sale of former Lynchburg police headquarters to developer planning $9.5M rehab

Council authorized the sale and redevelopment of the city‑owned property at 805 Court Street (the former Lynchburg Police Department headquarters) to FYG Properties LLC in a unanimous vote.

Marjette Upsher (S16), director of economic development and tourism, told council the historic 21,868‑square‑foot structure (built in 1900 as First Presbyterian Church and used as police headquarters from 1997 to 2025) would require substantial rehabilitation; a 2024 facilities assessment estimated more than $9 million in capital investment to stabilize and adapt the building. The proposed purchase price is $500,000 with a $400,000 rehabilitation credit applied at closing.

“The purchaser anticipates developing more — investing more than $9,500,000 in potential existing company expansion that could add approximately 80 technology sector jobs,” S16 said during the presentation.

Council members spoke in favor of preserving the historic structure and returning it to productive downtown use; the motion passed 7–0. The developer was present and available to answer questions during the public hearing. Staff said the rehabilitation would rely in part on state and federal historic tax credits and transfer substantial rehabilitation responsibility to the private sector.