The Washington County courthouse in Abingdon will remain closed for the next two and a half weeks because test results found “microbial growth” in the facility.
Plans for how to continue court proceedings during that time were being discussed but had not been announced as of late Thursday.
The county administrator’s office said Monday that an air quality study was conducted Aug. 21 “after concerns regarding the presence of microbial growth were identified.” The office said that the courthouse would reopen Thursday morning following additional testing.
But on Wednesday, the office said it had received more test results and would keep the courthouse closed for several more weeks, with plans to reopen Sept. 14.
The county has hired BELFOR Property Restoration, a national firm with an office in nearby Bristol, Tennessee, to conduct “mitigation and remediation of the microbial growth within the courthouse,” according to Wednesday’s press release. “Work will include addressing affected areas and taking appropriate measures to ensure the building is safe for occupancy.”
Specifics about the microbial growth have not been disclosed to the public.
The courthouse is home to the county circuit, general district and juvenile and domestic relations courtrooms, along with the circuit court clerk’s office. Other county administrative offices, constitutional offices and the sheriff’s office are housed in other facilities and are not affected.
County Administrator Jason Berry was out of the office Thursday, according to Alicia Roland in the administrative office. “I have been told all the information we have was provided in the press release,” she wrote in an email.
Responding to a reporter’s emailed questions, Circuit Court Clerk Patricia Moore wrote: “I’m currently and furiously working on getting equipment/scheduling set up today, there are a lot of moving parts. Once I’ve finalized a plan and consult the Chief Judge of the Circuit, I’ll answer your questions as best I can.”
Moore had not provided an update by the end of business Thursday.
In an email, Commonwealth’s Attorney Josh Cumbow explained that his office “will be open during normal hours throughout the courthouse closure. My office is not housed in the courthouse. I will defer to the various courts as to when and how court hearings will resume.”
The circuit court judges’ office could not be reached for additional information.
The courthouse was built during 1867-68, according to the Virginia Association of Counties website. A $28 million, three-year renovation and expansion project was completed in mid-2025, adding four new courtrooms and new security features.
A previous renovation took place in 1987.
