Space, Demand Among Concerns in Courthouse Expansion Project

A number of Town Council members expressed concern Monday night regarding Phase III of the Courts Complex project in Leesburg. Their concerns included whether enough space is available in the downtown area to accommodate increasing demand and what could be done in order to create a more feasible long-term solution for the courts’ space needs.

Design Manager Melissa Poole briefed the Town Council on the recent conversations that have been made regarding the project and what steps need to be taken in order to make it a success. 

In 1997, Loudoun County began a two-phased expansion of its courts complex facilities due to increased caseloads and space needs. Phases I and II took place from 1998 to 2004 and included renovations of the old courts and administration buildings and construction of a new court house facilities.

During this time a need for Phase III was identified in order to meet the future needs of larger court rooms and office space, which was to be constructed at on the site of the former Adult Detention Center at Church and Market streets.

However, there have been a number of concerns regarding the proposed location including:

-The closure of Church Street to achieve a secure courts complex campus

-The demolition of the county –owned homes on Edwards Ferry Road to enable the Phase III building to front Edwards Ferry, Market and Church streets.

-The expansion of the county’s Pennington Parking lot to include a structured parking garage 

-Identification of the county required traffic mitigation measures based on the ultimate build-out

Another concern, Poole said, includes the future of Phase IV, an expansion of 35,000 square feet, which would be required some time in a future fiscal year. Due to the size, the proposed Church Street location may no longer work, she said. Following both phases, there will be 120,000 more square feet then what there is right now.

Councilwoman Kelly Burk said she this was a concern because “the site is so tight now.” She also said did not want to lose the development that is already there.

“Why expand courts? Why not expand usage,” said Councilman Tom Dunn. He suggested the night courts be considered as well.

Poole said there has been discussion regarding those possibilities including five other options that were provided to the Finance/Government Services and Operation Committee to review. They can be viewed here. 

They also requested a sixth option, Poole said, to move all three courts to the Government Support Center site, located on Sycolin Road. 

“I would hope as we move forward on this that we can work collaborately,” said Vice Mayor Kevin Wright, who said that there seems to be “several ways to skin this cat” without moving the project out of town.

Councilwoman Katie Hammler said she would like for the Town Council to stay involved with the project “every step of the way” since it affects everyone who lives and works in the Town of Leesburg. 

Mayor Kristen Umstattd said that she feels the Church Street location is an unpopular decision.

"I think we all want to keep the circuit court and court activities in town," she said, but does not want to create a hornets nest.