County Commission Reveals Funding Plan For New Buildings
Published 9 days ago • 6 min read
The Observer Weekly
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June 5, 2025
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County Commission Explains Funding Plan For New Buildings
County Commissioners Pasha Majdi and Cara Keys take in the view of the historic courthouse from the future county administration building.
The Jefferson County Commission took a final vote today to authorize $16 million in debt to finance the purchase of the two new buildings that will serve as the future county administration and judicial center.
Before the commissioners voted on the 20-year debt obligation, Commission staff shared the details of how the county will pay for the project. The upfront purchase price of the two buildings together will be $23.5 million. The county plans to use $7.5 million in cash previously set aside in its “capital outlay” fund for this purpose and $16 million in newly-issued debt to complete the deal.
The county’s next step will be to renovate the larger building (393 North Lawrence Street) which will house the county administration offices. The staff estimates that the county will pay $2.5 million, also from the “capital outlay” fund, in the next six months as it finalizes the purchase and reconfigures the space. According to the timeline shared at today’s meeting, the county will fully move into this building by the end of 2026.
The staff described a much more complex renovation project for the smaller building (330 North George Street) that will house the Circuit, Magistrate, and Family court facilities. The current estimate to convert the building into a courthouse is $9 million.
The County Commission does not currently have the funds to cover this conversion expense. The staff presentation outlined a multi-part funding plan that includes pursuing $2.5 million in federal grants and $347,000 in state grants, and selling the buildings on Washington Street currently occupied by the county.
During the past several months, the City of Charles Town has raised numerous concerns about the County’s lack of planning for redeveloping the Washington Street properties. The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia (PAWV) also expressed concerns about the county’s approach to the Washington Street properties, announcing yesterday that PAWV has placed the Charles Town Historic District, including the historic courthouse, on its Most Endangered Properties List.
Commission President Pasha Majdi attempted to allay at least one of these concerns during today’s meeting, when he asked his fellow commissioners if any of them supported selling the historic courthouse — to which they all shouted an emphatic ‘NO!”
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Shepherdstown Kicks Off Pride Month With A New Parade
Rainbow flags are a common sight in Shepherdstown and the town has hosted many Pride-themed events over the years.
The town likes parades too, so it was no surprise to see hundreds of people lining German Street on Sunday evening to cheer on the two dozen groups marching down the street to kick off Pride Month. What was surprising to many was that this was the first official Pride parade in Shepherdstown. Mayor James Gatz issued a statement before the event, noting the welcoming history of Shepherdstown and describing the parade as “a moment of visibility, joy, and belonging for our LGBTQ residents, their families, and allies.”
Joan Moossy, the event organizer, said afterward “I hope everyone took away a sense of joy and celebration that's inclusive of everyone in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, the United States, and the whole world. And I hope that they are inspired to take their own action to make this a better world.”
When Moossy first approached the Town Council last year about getting a permit for the parade, she was very clear that she hoped that her involvement would inspire others to participate and carry the event forward into future years. She remarked after the parade that the turnout and the community response far exceeded what she imagined could happen — and she expects it to continue and grow in the future.
A message from Contemporary American Theater Festival
3 Things to Know About CATF
1️⃣ CATF stands for the Contemporary American Theater Festival, held July 11 – August 3 in Shepherdstown.
2️⃣ Each summer, CATF professionally produces five new plays — making it a nationally recognized hub for contemporary theater.
3️⃣ Visit CATF.org to book your tickets and explore the full lineup of events during the festival.
Charles Town Residents Gather To Launch Hip Sips Distric
Former Charles Town City Council member Julie Philabaum (above) was excited to lead a group of four dozen residents down Washington Street to get the first taste of Charles Town’s new “public outdoor drinking area” (PODA) district, dubbed “Hip Sips.”
As the crowd gathered in front of Abolitionists Ale Works, Philabaum thanked owner Josh Vance for working with her for the past two years to get the PODA district approved by the City Council.
The Hip Sips kickoff event was paired with the June 4 “Walk About Nothing,” a recurring event sponsored by the City of Charles Town and Charles Town Now. According to the City’s Economic Development Coordinator, Liz Cook, this Wednesday’s event was “the biggest crowd for our walk and I’m over the moon about it.”
Highlights of upcoming events around Jefferson County:
Free Live Music + Aerial Dance — Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome at Shepherdstown Live’s “First Friday” event featuring performances by the Gypsy Rambler band and Luna Aerial Dance & Performing Arts (downtown Shepherdstown at corner of German and King Streets). Friday, June 6, 5 - 7 pm. Free. Info…
The Birdcage — Robin Williams and Gene Hackman feature in this comedy classic film selected by the Shepherdstown Film Society at the Shepherdstown Opera House (131 West German St., Shepherdstown). Rated R. Friday, June 6, 7 pm - 9:30 pm. Pay-What-You-Can. Tickets and Info…
The Landsharks Band — Jimmy Buffett Tribute concert at The AMP in Sam Michaels Park (235 Sam Michael Lane, Shenandoah Junction). Friday, June 6, 7:30 - 9 pm. Tickets & Info...
Spelling Bee - Dinner Theater — St. Agnes Youth Group and Friends present the musical comedy “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” with dinner served before the show at the War Memorial Building (102 East German St., Shepherdstown). Three performances: Friday, June 6 at 6 pm. Saturday, June 7 at 6 pm. Sunday, June 8 at 5 pm. Tickets and Info…
CIVIL — A play set in an unspecified future, where trials are held in a virtual environment and can only be 40 minutes long. The audience votes on the outcome of both trials. Presented by the Roving Peregrine Theater at the Black Box Arts Center (113 S. Princess St., Shepherdstown). Three performances: Friday, June 6, 8 pm. Saturday, June 7, 8 pm. Sunday, June 8, 2:30 pm. Tickets and Info…
BARK Ranger Hike — Bring your leashed dog for a scenic 3.5 mile hike along the Potomac River on the Armory Canal Trail (meet in Harpers Ferry on Potomac Street, across from the Train Station near Isabella’s Pizza). Tickets $10. Registration required. Tickets and Info…
Summer Reading Program Kickoff Party — Activities, crafts, and snow cones will mark the start of the Shepherdstown Public Library’s summer reading programs for children of all ages (145 Higbee Lane, Shepherdstown). Saturday, June 7 ~ 11:00 am - 2:00 pm. Free. Info…
AWS Bark in the Park — Prizes, vendors, demonstrations, pet contest and other activities presented by the Animal Welfare Society at Jefferson Memorial Park (801 South Mildred St., Charles Town). Saturday, June 7, 10 am - 1 pm. $10 per dog registration. Tickets and Info…
Ranson Festival and Car Show — Family-friendly event with live entertainment, local vendors, food, and classic and custom cars (312 South Mildred St., Ranson). Saturday, June 7, 10 am - 3 pm. More Info…
Firehouse Gallery Show — Opening reception for a special exhibit featuring works by Firehouse Gallery members (108 North George St., Charles Town). Saturday, June 7, 1 pm. More Info…
Dubs & Dogs — Car show event presented by Dëutschwurx to benefit Briggs Animal Adoption Center (3731 Berryville Pike, Charles Town). Sunday, June 8, 9 am - 3 pm. (Rain date: Sunday, June 14) Free (donations of pet food accepted). More Info…
June Jubilee — Annual event presented by Martinsburg-Berkeley Parks & Recreation featuring kids games and activities, live music, magic show, arts & craft vendors, food vendors, door prizes at War Memorial Park (500 North Tennessee Ave., Martinsburg). Sunday, June 8, 11 am - 5 pm. Free. More Info…
Concert in the Park: U.S. Navy Band Commodores — Lawn chairs and blankets welcome to this outdoor concert at Shafer Park’s Pavilion #2 (37 Park Drive, Boonsboro). Sunday, June 8, 7 pm. Free. More Info…
