James City Selecting Firm to Oversee Construction of $190M Government Center
Bid deadline looms for RFP responses to ensure project is on-time and on budget
James City County is approaching an important deadline in its plan for a new consolidated government center. Proposals for a construction management advisor (CMa) are due September 15 from firms interested in helping County officials and the design-builder HJGV complete the $190 million project on-time and on budget.
The new government center will house multiple county functions currently spread across several facilities, with the goal to improve efficiency and accessibility for residents. According to county documents, the construction cost of the government center is estimated at $120 million, with the overall project budget at $190 million, which includes design fees, contingencies, and furnishings. The Board of Supervisors is expected to vote as early as October 2025 on an early site work package. Completion of construction documents is slated for March 2026, with full build-out scheduled to finish in early 2028.
Located near the James City County Recreation Center on Longhill Road, the County describes the land as centrally located and accessible by public transit. Planned functions include the Board of Supervisors meeting chambers and departments such as Administration, Treasurer, Commissioner of the Revenue, Community Development, Social Services, and the Emergency Operations Center.
Among other factors, population growth and the age of existing facilities helped convince the Board of Supervisors to build a new government complex. In public documents, James City County notes its population has increased more than 60% over the past two decades and could grow by another 30% in the next 20 years.
A study conducted by the County determined that current offices provide about 120,000 square feet, compared with an estimated need of 210,000 square feet by 2043. The county states that consolidating services at one location would reduce that requirement to about 180,000 square feet, lowering redundancy by sharing common areas. A new 25,000-square-foot library is also anticipated as part of the project.
Role of the CMa
While HGJV will lead design and construction, the CMa will act as an independent advisor to the County—providing oversight, protecting the county’s interests, and ensuring contract compliance. The responsibilities of the CMa hired to work alongside the design-builder will span construction prep, building, and closeout phases, including:
Reviewing final construction documents and budgets.
Coordinating with regulatory agencies.
Maintaining a master milestone schedule and cash flow analysis.
Leading site meetings with county staff and HGJV.
Monitoring construction quality and safety compliance.
Advising on and reviewing change orders.
Preparing monthly reports for the Board of Supervisors.
Overseeing the project closeout process, including occupancy planning.
HGJV is a joint-venture between Henderson Inc, a well-known local contractor based in York County, and national firm Gilbane, which maintains an office in Richmond.
Selection process and fee negotiation
The procurement process is competitive and qualifications-based. Proposals will be evaluated on firm history, staffing, relevant project experience, scope of services, financial strength, and approach to the project, among other criteria. A total of 175 points is available in the scoring system.
The county will interview at least two top-ranked firms before entering negotiations. Fees will not be set through the initial proposal but will be determined during contract negotiations with the highest-ranked bidder. The county has stated it intends to reach a fair and reasonable fee agreement rather than soliciting low-bid pricing.
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