NEWS: Final Bumps in Road for James City Government Center

Traffic concerns remain as development looms for former Eastern State Hospital surplus land

Official rendering of potential James City County Government Center and new public library, as well as proposed road improvements to mitigate increased traffic. (Courtesy James City County)

The new $238.7M James City County government center and library will clear a final hurdle this week if the project receives a Special Use Permit (SUP) from the Board of Supervisors. The request from City staff would allow construction of the 177,000 square foot building, which exceeds the current zoning limit of 30,000 square feet; the new library is expected to total around 25,000 square feet.

On May 13, 2025, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a budget for Fiscal Year 2026 which included funding for both new facilities. They will decide the issue of the SUP at their meeting on June 10, 2025 at 5PM in the County Government Board Room, 101 Mounts Bay Road, Williamsburg VA 23185.

Planning Commission recommendation

On May 7, 2025, a few days before the Board approved the FY26 budget, the Coun…