Guaranteed maximum price for new JCC government center expected in June

County officials anticipate total costs will come in around the $178M estimate

Mar 31, 2026

Government Center Interior — James City County officials are expecting the Guaranteed Maximum Price for the new Consolidated Government Center and library addition to be delivered in June. The project, which will consolidate county government operations into a single facility, is currently tracking around $178 million. (Courtesy James City County)

James City County officials are awaiting a critical financial milestone for the new Consolidated Government Center project, which will bring many county government operations into a single facility, which will also be paired with a new library. The Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the projects is expected to be delivered in June, though the total anticipated design and construction cost has been capped not to exceed $179 million, though the GMP will establish the firm construction cost ceiling for the project. County staff confirmed the timeline during the March 24 Board of Supervisors Business Meeting, where Assistant County Administrator Bradley Rinehimer provided an update on the project’s progress.

Rinehimer told the Board that 100% construction drawings are now complete and are currently under active review by staff and the construction management team. When asked by a supervisor about the anticipated price, he offered reassurance about the project’s expected cost.

“I do not expect anything different than what we’ve been telling the whole time,” Rinehimer said. “I don’t expect that to change.”

County officials have previously estimated the overall project cost in the range of $178 million to $179 million. As recently as the January 13, 2026, Board of Supervisors meeting, the County Administrator reported the project was tracking slightly below that range. The final budget figure is expected to include escalation costs and a $4 million owner contingency. Earlier Capital Improvement Program projections had placed the Government Center cost somewhat higher, at $189.5 million.

The county asserts that building the new facility will save money in the long run versus maintaining multiple, older buildings. Future funding for the two facilities is outlined in the county’s recently released proposed FY2027–FY2031 Capital Improvement Program. The Consolidated Government Center carries a five-year capital project request of $124 million, with $72 million allocated in FY2027 and $52 million in FY2028.

The county has already authorized an initial first-phase agreement capped at $46 million to fund early site work and the pre-ordering of long-lead materials including steel, concrete, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems, a strategy intended to lock in pricing and reduce the risk of cost increases ahead of the final GMP.

Library - front — A rendering of the new library planned by James City County as part of the new Consolidated Government Center. (Courtesy James City County)

Early CIP plans originally estimated the library at between $49.2 million and $50 million, based on a planned 50,000-square-foot facility. County and library staff subsequently worked to scale the design down significantly, arriving at a 25,000-square-foot addition that cut the projected cost in half. The revised library carries a five-year capital project request of $25.1 million, with $14 million allocated in FY2027 and $11.1 million in FY2028. Additionally, a portion of funds originally budgeted for the library will be redirected toward required off-site traffic improvements connected to the broader project.

The Board’s response to the March 24 focused on the upcoming price figure before thanking Rinehimer and concluding the discussion.

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