VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Changes are coming to the Virginia Beach Municipal Center, with major building renovations nearing completion.
On Tuesday, Virginia Beach City Council members got an update on construction progress. The latest plans include moving a new department of employees into Building 2, the site of the 2019 mass shooting.
The building has sat empty since then. But Virginia Beach Public Works Director L.J. Hansen said that is set to change in January 2024 when the Virginia Beach Police Headquarters relocates there.
“Future home for police administration, the First Police Precinct and the city’s IT data center,” Hansen said.
Hansen said right now crews are moving furniture into Building 2. Project leaders have said the building will look nothing like it did on the inside in 2019.
Hansen said renovations on the current police headquarters, Building 11, and the old city hall, or Building 3, will bring former Building 2 employees back to the municipal center.
“Total it is about 450 employees moving back, of which 250 are May 31 survivors and first responders,” Hansen said.
He said renovations on Building 3 should wrap up in August 2024. After that, employees with Public Utilities and Planning and Community Development will move in.
Crews haven’t started to renovate Building 11 yet, but Hansen said he expects Public Works and portions of Information Technology employees to move in the spring of 2025.
To help with the transition, Hansen said the city has an Integration Support Team and mental health professionals on hand.
“Ensure that they have the information needed to know about it,” Hansen said. “To make sure they are aware of the safety measure being put in place. To help them find and feel secure in their new space.”
Hansen said the renovation completion dates are the best estimates right now, but he anticipates everything to go as planned.
Renovations started on Building 2 in March 2021.