2022-05-02 Local Support for Renovations to the Danville Courthouse PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
RESOLUTION# 2022-05-02
LOCAL SUPPORT FOR RENOVATIONS TO THE DANVILLE COURTHOUSE
VIRGINIA: At the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors' ("Board") Business Meeting on May 17,
2022, the following Resolution was presented and adopted:
WHEREAS,the United States Federal Courthouse in Danville was erected in 1934 and has housed several
different agencies, including the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia (current), the
United States Post Office (current), and the offices of former Representative Dan Daniel; and
WHEREAS, in May of 2021, upon a recommendation from the United States Marshal, and after
consultation with the judges of the Western District, Chief Judge Michael F. Urbanski, entered a Standing Order
suspending all criminal hearings and jury trials in the Danville division "until appropriate security upgrades are
made to the Danville federal courthouse or adequate alternative accommodations [are] obtained in the Danville
area;"and
WHEREAS, Urbanski recently entered a new Standing Order permitting some criminal proceedings in
Danville, but nevertheless ordering that "[c]riminal proceedings involving defendants or witnesses who are in
custody will not be held in the Danville federal courthouse"; and
WHEREAS,when a case is tried in another division, the presiding Judge has the option to summon the
jury from that division and this places an added burden on the citizens of neighboring districts; and
WHEREAS, the security concerns espoused by Urbanski are serious and deserve the utmost
consideration, and include: the lack of a secure entrance for prisoner transport; inadequate and outdated prisoner
holding facilities; the lack of a secure parking lot for judges and court staff; and the inability to move prisoners
to and from the courtroom without moving through public (and therefore less secure) spaces; and
WHEREAS, these concerns need immediate attention and with construction of Ceasars Entertainment's
new casino in Danville and a planned opening in 2023, a federal presence and courthouse in the community is
vital.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED,that the Board hereby endorses and supports the
needed renovations to the United States Federal Courthouse in Danville.
Given under my hand this 17th day of May, 2022.
William `Vic") Ingram '�
-". w airman)
Pittsylvan . County Board\ f Supervisors
_ Clarence C. Monday(Clerk)
Pittsylvania County Board • Supervisors
Approved�t�Form: _ •
41
J. Vaden Hunt, Esq.
Pittsylvania County Attorney