A judge on Wednesday declined to issue an emergency injunction that would halt planning and construction of a new James City County government building.
A group of seven county residents have sued to stop the project, claiming that the financing plan for the $189 million center requires a voter referendum. Judge Jan Brodie, a retired judge appointed to hear the case, declined to issue an emergency injunction and scheduled the next hearing for Jan 13.
Christopher Woodfin, the group’s lawyer, maintains that an October 2024 agreement between the county and the county’s Economic Development Authority to seek bonds to pay for public facility projects, including the government center, triggered the requirement for a referendum. County Attorney Adam Kinsman argued that the Economic Development Authority is an independent body and that the financing for the project did not require a public vote.
Supervisors and county officials recently broke ground at the site on Longhill Road. The proposed center — estimated to cost $189.5 million with its library annex costing $25 million — has been discussed over the past five years to replace the current government complex on Mounts Bay Road.
James City County supervisors and officials broke ground for the site of the proposed government center and library addition on Wednesday, Nov. 12. James W. Robinson/The Virginia Gazette
Kinsman said he is looking forward to returning to court to “argue in favor of our pleadings.”
James W. Robinson, 757-799-0621, james.robinson@virginiamedia.com
