RD238 - Report on Future Use of Natural Bridge Juvenile Correctional Center


Executive Summary:
In July 2009 the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) was required to submit a 5-10-15% reduction plan to the Department of Planning and Budget. The 5% plan included the closing of Oak Ridge Juvenile Correctional Center (JCC), the 10% plan included closing Natural Bridge JCC, and the 15% plan included closing Hanover JCC. The approved September reduction plan included the closing of the Natural Bridge JCC. Subsequently, the Department began the process of closing the facility with the last youths either transferred to another Juvenile Correctional Center or being released on parole having met their treatment needs and length of stay requirements.

Interest was generated by the County of Rockbridge and the General Assembly on potential uses or re-uses of the Natural Bridge JCC property. This interest resulted in the Budget Conference Committee including the following language in the Appropriation Act:

Item 400 C. of Chapter 874 requires the following:

C. The Department of Juvenile Justice, with the assistance of the Department of General Services, the Department of Historic Resources, and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership shall work with the County of Rockbridge and other appropriate local entities to address the future use of the property comprising the Natural Bridge Juvenile Correctional Center. A report outlining potential options for re-use and redevelopment of this property shall be provided to the Governor, the Secretaries of Public Safety, Administration, Natural Resources, and Commerce and Trade, and the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees, by October 1, 2010."

Meetings were held with representatives of the Department of General services, Department of Historic Resources, Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the County Administrator of Rockbridge County to examine potential new uses of the NBJCC property. A visit to the facility was arranged for representatives of the Department of Historic Resources (DHR) to determine its potential historic significance and implications for use and development. DHR was of the opinion "the facility is a fairly rare survivor as a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp". DHR is of the opinion that NBJCC has maintained more of the characteristics (housing, walkways, etc.) than any other former CCC camp in the United States. (See attached correspondence from the Department of Historic Resources.)