Augusta County marked a major milestone in the construction of the new county courthouse in Verona with a “Topping Off Ceremony,” a longstanding construction tradition that celebrates progress and honors the hard work of the construction team, architects, builders, and project stakeholders. The event featured the symbolic placement of the final structural beam. 

Construction crew members from Branch Builds, Skanska, Moseley Architects, and the Timmons Group joined major stakeholders and county staff to sign the final beam, which was painted white and dated, before it was hoisted into place by crane. 

Chairman of the Augusta County Board of Supervisors, Gerald Garber, remarked,

“Today marks a major milestone — not just in the construction of this courthouse, but in the hard work and dedication of the men and women who are building it. We are proud to recognize the local and regional companies and all the skilled tradespeople who have poured their time and talent into this project. Your efforts are shaping a courthouse that will serve Augusta County for generations.”

The ceremony included a welcome from Chairman Garber and remarks from County Administrator Timothy K. Fitzgerald, who highlighted project milestones and expressed appreciation for the efforts of the construction teams and project stakeholders. Deputy John Craft of the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office offered a blessing for continued prosperity and the safety of construction crews and future courthouse occupants.

On the symbolism of the occasion, Abe Sankari, Senior Project Manager for Branch Builds, commented,

"With every beam raised and every milestone reached, we build not just a courthouse, but a foundation for justice and community. We are dedicated to creating a lasting community landmark, and we look forward to the completion of this important project for Augusta County.”

• Branch Builds leads the construction effort and has quickly become a trusted partner within the community. Nearly 50 subcontractors are involved in the project, including several local firms such as Riddleberger Brothers, Trumbo Electric, Dean Steel, SEMCO, Partners Excavating, Eddie Edwards Signs, Glass and Metals, Kahnco, Applied Building Systems, and McDaniel Contractor Services.
• The courthouse project reflects a long-standing collaboration with Moseley Architects and their partner, Timmons Group, who have provided expert guidance from design through construction.
• Skanska along with collaborative partners including Burns & McDonnell, Envisions Collaborative Interiors, ECS Mid-Atlantic, Schnabel Engineering, France Environmental, and Multivista, play a key role in daily oversight, troubleshooting, and coordination of project operations.
• At Skanska’s recommendation, the County initiated an Owner Direct Purchase program, allowing materials to be purchased directly by the County to save on sales tax. While requiring significant administrative coordination between Skanska, Branch Builds, and County staff, this approach has resulted in over $356,000 in savings to date.
• County staff remain deeply involved in all phases of the project — including facilities management, information technology, building inspections, and environmental oversight — ensuring the courthouse will operate efficiently for years to come.

Construction began on March 15, 2024, and the project is on track with substantial completion expected by December 2025. Occupancy is anticipated for January 2026.

[The Augusta County Board of Supervisors and the leaders of Branch Builds and Skanska construction teams stand before the final structural beam which was signed and placed in a topping off ceremony.] 

For more information about the Verona courthouse construction and to view the live-feed video of the construction site, visit www.AugustaCountyVA.gov/courthouse.

For a detailed history of the courthouse project, visit www.AugustaCountyVA.gov/government/county-projects/courthouse-project.