In 2005, prior to the initiation of programming for a new Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courthouse, the City of Lynchburg authorized an update of two previous studies: The 1991-92 Lynchburg Justice Needs Assessment and the 1999 City of Lynchburg Justice Facilities Master Plan, both of which involved nationally recognized justice systems programmers and planners brought to Lynchburg by AP. The goal of the 2005 study was to update and build on the previous studies and forecast projections, needs, and solutions to the year 2025 with both long term and short term concepts.
The 2005 City of Lynchburg Justice Facilities Master Plan recommended space planning goals, physical improvements, and new facility designs based on interviews with key staff, facility evaluations, and collected operational data from each of the City’s three courts systems. The master plan also addressed growth issues related to the Commonwealth Attorney’s offices, the Police Department, the Sheriff’s Office, and Community Corrections and Pre-Trial Services. The primary result of the study was a documented “greatest need” for a new facility for the Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court and Court Clerk. The study’s Recommended Future Strategic Plan identified the need for a new courthouse, recommended a site for the building, and provided occupancy scenarios which were the basis for later building programming and design. Along with initial programming requirements, an itemized budget was also included which compared projected building costs with the City’s CIP.
The City of Lynchburg accepted the recommendations of this 2005 study and immediately began work to secure Architectural & Engineering Services for the new J&DR Courthouse. AP, along with DMJM, was selected for this project which was completed in 2010.