Albemarle County’s upfit of former mall store complete for public safety use 

Selected sections of Albemarle County’s police, fire and EMS services are now operating out of the former J.C. Penney at Fashion Square Mall. 

“The renovated facility achieved substantial completion on November 30, 2023, at which time the Albemarle County Police Department (ACPD) and Albemarle County Fire Rescue (ACFR) began moving furniture and equipment,” reads the second story in the Winter 2024 report from Albemarle’s Department of Facilities and Environmental Services. 

In July 2022, the Board of Supervisors approved a long-term lease to rent the property from Seminole Trail Management and committed $3.1 million to capital costs to upgrade it into a public safety operations center. On March 21, 2023, the county awarded a contract to Marion Enterprises Inc to do the work and their efforts concluded in November. 

As a result, Albemarle Fire and Rescue now has a new centralized storage area and vehicle bays for repair and maintenance. 

“Vehicles and uniforms can efficiently be cleaned and repaired to better ensure the health and safety of both the Fire and Rescue team as well as the community at large,” the report continues. “The ACPD also gained additional storage, vehicle maintenance space, and office areas for Special Operations/Community Support, K-9 Units, Animal Protection, and Mental Health needs.” 

According to the report, an area that had been anticipated to be shared with other businesses has been obtained for use by the county. There are no public facilities at the public safety operations center. 

“The current annual rent is $429,117.21 based on $12.90 per square feet with a 3.5 percent annual increase,” said Abbey Stumpf, the county’s director of communications and public engagement. “ The operational budget for this year is $533,325, which includes rent, utilities, facility maintenance, and other facility-related services. “ 

Meanwhile, the Albemarle Board of Supervisors has a public hearing tonight on a special use permit for the proposed Home Depot to be allowed to have outdoor display and sales. Home Depot purchased a large portion of Fashion Square Mall for $1.762 million in September 2022. 

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