Judicial Center Expansion

Share Judicial Center Expansion on Facebook Share Judicial Center Expansion on X (formerly Twitter) Share Judicial Center Expansion on Linkedin Email Judicial Center Expansion link
Exterior signage of the Prince William County Judicial Center

PWC Works projects reflect our commitment of striving for exceptional customer service, maximizing operational efficiencies, increasing modernization, providing excellent service delivery, and collaborating with the community for a coordinated response that achieves the best possible outcomes for our residents and the overall wellbeing of the county.


What is the Judicial Center Expansion Project?

The Prince William County Judicial Center, originally constructed in 1982, houses three separate courts serving the county and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park — the Circuit Court, the General District Court and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.

The Code of Virginia mandates that the governing body of every locality must provide courthouses with suitable space and facilities to accommodate the various courts and officials.

To meet current and future judicial services of a growing community, the county is expanding the Judicial Center to address parking and expanding facilities for judicial agencies within the complex. The project master plan, which was completed in FY 2023, noted the following space needs and deficit for the current center:

Projected space needs and deficit for the judicial center including: need for 15 circuit courtrooms, 221,000 net square feet needed for all the courts and support functions and 950 space structured garage. The current space challenges include jury space, no room for circuit court growth and problematic travel corridors behind circuit court.


Main Goals of the Judicial Center Expansion Project

Address parking and expanded facilities needs for judicial agencies including:

  • New courts building
    • One level underground and four levels above ground
    • Dedicated to the operations of the Circuit Court and the Circuit Court's Clerk
    • Twelve Circuit Courtrooms
    • Sheriff's Department support space
    • Designed to LEED Gold Standards
  • Expanded surface parking and a new up to 900 space parking structure
  • Most efficient use of the site creating opportunity for future expansion


Success Criteria for the Judicial Center Expansion Project

  • Improved parking and facility capacity for visitors and employees
  • Expanded capacity to meet current and future judicial services needs of a growing community


Milestones Completed FY23-FY24

  • March 3, 2023: County met with Manassas City regarding the Judicial Center Complex, including future plans for the Bennett School, parking and a potential land swap.
  • June 2023: Moseley Architects completed an analysis of developing a parking garage within the parameters set by the City.
  • October 12, 2023: County met with Manassas City to discuss the updated parking structure plan based on the findings of the Moseley Architect analysis.

PWC Works projects reflect our commitment of striving for exceptional customer service, maximizing operational efficiencies, increasing modernization, providing excellent service delivery, and collaborating with the community for a coordinated response that achieves the best possible outcomes for our residents and the overall wellbeing of the county.


What is the Judicial Center Expansion Project?

The Prince William County Judicial Center, originally constructed in 1982, houses three separate courts serving the county and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park — the Circuit Court, the General District Court and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.

The Code of Virginia mandates that the governing body of every locality must provide courthouses with suitable space and facilities to accommodate the various courts and officials.

To meet current and future judicial services of a growing community, the county is expanding the Judicial Center to address parking and expanding facilities for judicial agencies within the complex. The project master plan, which was completed in FY 2023, noted the following space needs and deficit for the current center:

Projected space needs and deficit for the judicial center including: need for 15 circuit courtrooms, 221,000 net square feet needed for all the courts and support functions and 950 space structured garage. The current space challenges include jury space, no room for circuit court growth and problematic travel corridors behind circuit court.


Main Goals of the Judicial Center Expansion Project

Address parking and expanded facilities needs for judicial agencies including:

  • New courts building
    • One level underground and four levels above ground
    • Dedicated to the operations of the Circuit Court and the Circuit Court's Clerk
    • Twelve Circuit Courtrooms
    • Sheriff's Department support space
    • Designed to LEED Gold Standards
  • Expanded surface parking and a new up to 900 space parking structure
  • Most efficient use of the site creating opportunity for future expansion


Success Criteria for the Judicial Center Expansion Project

  • Improved parking and facility capacity for visitors and employees
  • Expanded capacity to meet current and future judicial services needs of a growing community


Milestones Completed FY23-FY24

  • March 3, 2023: County met with Manassas City regarding the Judicial Center Complex, including future plans for the Bennett School, parking and a potential land swap.
  • June 2023: Moseley Architects completed an analysis of developing a parking garage within the parameters set by the City.
  • October 12, 2023: County met with Manassas City to discuss the updated parking structure plan based on the findings of the Moseley Architect analysis.

  • Bennett School

    Share Bennett School on Facebook Share Bennett School on X (formerly Twitter) Share Bennett School on Linkedin Email Bennett School link

    The Bennett School has served different roles throughout its history. Below is an overview of its timeline and current status:

    • 1908: The Virginia Assembly funded agricultural high schools for each of the 10 state districts. Manassas was selected for the eighth district and became the first school built under this grant. Named after Dr. Maitland C. Bennett, who donated two acres of land, the school was intended for agricultural education but instead served as an elementary school and teacher training center.
    • 1909: Bennett School opened for elementary students within a nine-mile radius of Manassas.
    • 1920s: After a new Osbourn School was built, the former Osbourn building became the Bennett Annex. Both buildings operated as Bennett School until 1969.
    • 1969: A new Bennett School was constructed. The original building (near the Judicial Center) was repurposed for Prince William County Police.
    • 1970–Early 1980s: In July 1970, the former Bennett School became the first headquarters for the newly established Prince William County Police Department. Portions of the building also housed general county government offices.
    • Early 1990s–2010s:By the early 1990s, the building ceased daily operations and was primarily used for Police Department storage. It later fell into disuse and was boarded up to prevent trespassing.
      • 2004–2008: Plans to renovate the building as an HR Training Center were canceled due to recession-related budget constraints.
      • Mid-2010s: The Sheriff’s Office proposed converting the building into office space, but funding was not approved.
    • Current: The facility has not been used in 40+ years and the building structure integrity is in question. The building contains asbestos, lead, mold, water damage and termites. It is cost prohibitive to renovate or relocate. Therefore, the building will be taken down to support expansion of the Judicial Center Complex. However, architectural features and historical exhibits from the Bennett School Building will be included in the Judicial Center Complex design.

    The Bennett School has served different roles throughout its history. Below is an overview of its timeline and current status:

    • 1908: The Virginia Assembly funded agricultural high schools for each of the 10 state districts. Manassas was selected for the eighth district and became the first school built under this grant. Named after Dr. Maitland C. Bennett, who donated two acres of land, the school was intended for agricultural education but instead served as an elementary school and teacher training center.
    • 1909: Bennett School opened for elementary students within a nine-mile radius of Manassas.
    • 1920s: After a new Osbourn School was built, the former Osbourn building became the Bennett Annex. Both buildings operated as Bennett School until 1969.
    • 1969: A new Bennett School was constructed. The original building (near the Judicial Center) was repurposed for Prince William County Police.
    • 1970–Early 1980s: In July 1970, the former Bennett School became the first headquarters for the newly established Prince William County Police Department. Portions of the building also housed general county government offices.
    • Early 1990s–2010s:By the early 1990s, the building ceased daily operations and was primarily used for Police Department storage. It later fell into disuse and was boarded up to prevent trespassing.
      • 2004–2008: Plans to renovate the building as an HR Training Center were canceled due to recession-related budget constraints.
      • Mid-2010s: The Sheriff’s Office proposed converting the building into office space, but funding was not approved.
    • Current: The facility has not been used in 40+ years and the building structure integrity is in question. The building contains asbestos, lead, mold, water damage and termites. It is cost prohibitive to renovate or relocate. Therefore, the building will be taken down to support expansion of the Judicial Center Complex. However, architectural features and historical exhibits from the Bennett School Building will be included in the Judicial Center Complex design.