VERONA, Va.—After more than three decades of debate and a landmark 2022 referendum, Augusta County is finally reaching the finish line of its most ambitious infrastructure project in a generation. As of March 2026, the new $80 million Augusta County Courthouse in Verona has reached substantial completion, with a final “Cornerstone Setting Ceremony” conducted March 23, 2026, that marked the transition of the county seat.
The 124,000-square-foot facility, located at the Augusta County Government Center, replaces the undersized and aging court facilities in downtown Staunton. The move was catalyzed by a 2021 court order and a subsequent public vote in which 86% of residents opted for the new Verona construction over a more costly renovation of the historic downtown site.
A Modern Hub with Historic Roots
Designed by Moseley and built by Branch Builds, the four-story structure is a visual tribute to the county’s heritage. The design prominently features red brick, white columns, and a majestic cupola, mirroring the aesthetic of the 1901 courthouse it leaves behind. However, beneath its traditional exterior, the building is a marvel of modern security and efficiency.
The facility houses eight courtrooms tiered by jurisdiction: General District on the first floor, Juvenile & Domestic Relations on the second, and Circuit Court on the third. Unlike the previous layout, the new courthouse utilizes a “three-zone” circulation system, ensuring that judges, the public, and detainees move through entirely separate corridors—a critical safety standard that the Staunton location could not achieve.
The Logistics of the Move
The county is currently in the midst of a complex logistical handoff. On March 6, 2026, the county issued an official notice of temporary closure to allow staff to relocate records, portraits, and essential technology. A specialized move is planned for early June to finalize the transition of heavy equipment and remaining administrative offices.
What Stays in Staunton?
While the scales of justice are moving to Verona, the much of the county’s history remains rooted in Staunton. The Board of Supervisors is currently holding public hearings regarding the relocation of four veteran memorial plaques from the old building. Meanwhile, the historic 1901 courthouse will remain a downtown landmark, with the City of Staunton and the County exploring adaptive reuse options to ensure the building remains a vibrant part of the downtown economy.
With the final “drying-in” and interior finishing complete, the courthouse is expected to hear its first official cases by late spring 2026, officially ending Augusta County’s 200-year residency in the City of Staunton.
