City Council to Continue Renwick Discussion

Correction:  The work session is open to the public, according to Councilman At- Large Matt Kelly.  It is not closed, as previously reported.

Fredericksburg City Council will continue discussion of renovation and reuse for the city's historic Renwick Building in their 5:30 p.m. work session Oct. 9. The 160-year-old building would be vacant once the Circuit Court moves into the new courthouse, slated for the spring of 2014.

The regular City Council meeting follows at 7:30 p.m.

In a special meeting on Sept. 18, the council approved a resolution formalizing their commitment to renovation of the Renwick.

In July, City Manager Beverly Cameron recommended the current Circuit Courtroom on the second floor could be renovated for use as council chambers and the first floor used as office space for the city manager’s office, city attorney’s office, mayor, and clerk of council.

This renovation could cost about $5 million, and Cameron said that is net of historic tax credits. Council could also choose to keep the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in Executive Plaza and save money on the renovation of the General District Courthouse at 615 Princess Anne St.

Cameron said First Choice proposed these uses for Renwick in its original public-private partnership submission.

"This renovation would restore the building in a manner sensitive to the historic significance of this iconic structure," Cameron said. "Other options for the reuse of Renwick are potentially available." He said tonight's meeting will be the first of many discussions the council will have about the future of the Renwick.

For more information on this topic, see these Fredericksburg Patch articles:

Fredericksburg Council Has Big Decisions Left On Courthouse

Local Architect Presents Plan for Renwick Building

Fredericksburg's New Majority To Halt Courthouse Project