By Matt de Simone
Assistant Botetourt County Administrator Jon Lanford provided an update at August’s Board of Supervisors meeting on the Botetourt County Courthouse alongside Gary Harvey and Emmett Lifsey from Architectural Partners. In April, Harvey and Lifsey provided the board with a schedule and a site plan for the project.
Currently, the project is still in the bidding stages. “Package A,” consisting of the bid package for moving the old law office, hotel, and monument and relocating the files from the Clerk of the Court’s office, will continue into the spring of 2023. According to the project’s schedule, construction will begin in May and continue until early 2025.
Supervisor Amy White asked the group about the security involved in relocating the county records. The group explained that the records housed in the law office building would be secured with only circuit court staff having access. Lanford mentioned that the county clerk’s office corroborated all plans for relocating the records.
The group spoke about “extensive” improvements to the courthouse regarding the day-to-day functionality and security for the public and courthouse staff. They noted significant improvements to courthouse entryways to keep the public, staff, and prisoners separated and safe. The new courthouse is expected to be fully handicapped-accessible.
The official bidding on the building contract began on Sunday, with a four-week period to hear bids. Lanford and Architectural Partners are hopeful that a contract will be made available for the board meeting on October 25.
The group remains hopeful that a contract will be made available for the October Board of Supervisors meeting.
