Richmond judge takes city to court over aging courthouse

Driving the news: Richmond Circuit Court Chief Judge Jacqueline McClenney dropped the legal action on the city last week, right before leaders celebrated the end of a mostly smooth budget season.

• McClenney's order asks officials to explain why the courts shouldn't intervene and force Richmond to fix what judges describe as unsafe conditions at John Marshall.
• The legal filing hinges on a Virginia law allowing courts to require repairs and safety upgrades, though judges can't order the construction of a new courthouse.
• It also arrives less than a year after Richmond faced another costly legal obligation: a multimillion-dollar restitution payment to wrongfully convicted Richmonder Marvin Grimm.

What they're saying: Mayor Avula said in a Tuesday press conference that the city is in "frequent communication" with the judges, and pointed to the budgeted $15.6 million for roof, plumbing and security upgrades at the courthouse.

• CAO Odie Donald II said the filing reflects an effort to ensure courthouse repairs don't "get kicked down the road anymore."

Yes, but: Richmond officials once estimated that replacing the courthouse would cost $350 million.

What's next: The chief justice of the Virginia Supreme Court is expected to appoint an outside judge to oversee the dispute.