Judge denies request to pause work on James City County government center

JAMES CITY COUNTY – A judge declined to issue an injunction last Wednesday that would have paused construction on James City County’s controversial new government complex.

Seven county residents initiated a lawsuit against County Administrator Scott Stevens and the Board of Supervisors earlier this month, arguing that the $178 million financing request for the center should require a referendum.

The citizens are represented by Christopher Woodfin, a county resident and attorney who specializes in election law.

The county broke ground on the 180,000-square-foot facility earlier this month near the existing county recreation center on Longhill Road. The new building is expected to replace the existing government complex on Mounts Bay Road. It will also include a Williamsburg Regional Library annex.

Adam Kinsman, James City County’s attorney, has filed a motion for the case to be dismissed.

According to court documents Kinsman submitted to The Triangle, the county’s request for the case’s dismissal is based on a technicality.

Any legal effort to contest the Board of Supervisors’ vote needs to be filed within 30 days of that vote, Kinsman is arguing. The final vote regarding the government center took place on Oct. 8. The lawsuit was filed on Nov. 12.

Woodfin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The ruling, issued by judge Jan Brodie, means construction by contractor Henderson-Gilbane will proceed, at least for now. A follow-up hearing for the case has been scheduled for Jan. 13.