Pittsylvania County has a significant amount of capital expenses looming over the next decade. From renovations of existing buildings to completely new facilities that need to be designed and constructed, these are projects that simply can't be avoided.

Here is a summary of the capital expenses, which have an estimated total of about $171.5 million.

• Critical County Infrastructure Needs and Broadband: Estimated Cost: $9.5 million. Timeline: 2025
• A New Jail: Estimated Cost: $62 million Timeline: To be completed in 2027
• A New Courthouse: Estimated Cost: $100 million. Timeline: To begin 2034

To view the Capital Improvements Plan for Fiscal 2025-2029, click here.

Upcoming

capital costs

Approximately $171.5 million over the next 10+ years

Jail

Pittsylvania County's jail is outdated and overcrowded. First constructed in 1980, the Pittsylvania County jail has been over capacity since the day that it opened. Oftentimes the facility, which is rated by the Virginia Department of Corrections to house 36 inmates, has more than 100 at a time. In addition to simply having too many inmates, the age of the facility means that there are always mechanical problems.

Pittsylvania County has also partnered with the Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority to house inmates as well. On an average day, Pittsylvania County houses between 70 and 90 inmates at Blue Ridge. The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors purchased land in August 2023 along U.S. Highway 29 and has begun the process of obtaining the necessary approvals from the state. The goal is to have a new jail completed by 2027 at the latest. To learn more about the jail project, click here.

The estimated cost for the jail is between approximately $62 million. Pittsylvania County recently completed a Community Based Corrections Plan - a study that the Virginia Department of Corrections requires before being eligible for a 25% reimbursement of construction costs.

Courthouse and Other Facilities

Pittsylvania County's current courthouse, which was built in the 1800s, houses the court system and all associated offices - such as the Commonwealth's Attorney, Magistrate, and the Clerk of Court - as well as offices like the Treasurer, the Commissioner of the Revenue, and the Jail. Technological limitations of the current facility are a major reason that Pittsylvania County's Chief Circuit Court Judge Stacey Moreau has advised that a new courthouse will be needed in the future. This project that likely won't be completed until at least 2034.

The long-term plan is to reshuffle the physical locations of many county offices and departments: a new courthouse will be developed where the current school board office is, while many other departments will move into what is currently the courthouse, which would undergo major renovations to house Community Development, Pittsylvania County Schools, as well as the Commissioner of the Revenue and Treasurer.

It is estimated that a new courthouse would cost approximately $100 million, and the renovation of the current courthouse building to house the remainder of Pittsylvania County government would cost another $14 million.