Renovation of a municipal facility in Newport News, Virginia. Design plans call for the renovation of a municipal facility.

Virginia changed sentencing laws in 2021. An increase in jury trials resulted along with an accumulating backlog in the Circuit courts. One additional Circuit Court judge was approved to serve in Newport News. However, the capacity to accommodate a new Circuit Court judge as well as the growing backlog in jury trials is a challenge within the current number of courtrooms. The City's courtrooms are located in three buildings but only the District Court is housed in the same building. The Chief Judge of the Circuit Court seeks to consolidate the Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court (JDR) into one building as a component of adding additional jury trial capacity for the Circuit Court. The construction of two courtrooms is key to conducting jury trials in a timely manner not violating the defendant's sixth amendment right to a speedy trial. It will also create the necessary capacity for the additional Circuit Court judge. The project is included in the city's 2024-2028 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). As of September 19, 2024, a design team has been identified. Construction is expected to begin in FY2026. *Project information has been obtained through a public capital improvement plan (CIP). A CIP is a financial schedule for short- and long-range projects which is updated regularly. Information listed in the CIP often evolves based on funding availability and the project details, including timeline and value, are subject to change. The content management team will continue to pursue additional details as they become available.