With the project nearly halfway complete, a milestone was reached in demolition of the former courthouse building in downtown Clarkesville on Thursday, April 24, as the weathered clocktower has officially been taken down.
Last week, crews began dismantling the tower, which was actually an elevator shaft installed to make the courthouse ADA compliant. The clock was removed, and now the cinderblock structure that supported it is coming down.
According to county officials, 30% of the demolition work is now finished.
Officials say the project remains on schedule, with completion expected by the end of June. As work continues at the site, drivers are urged to use caution when passing through the area. Safety measures are in place to protect both workers and the public during construction.
Before the city of Clarkesville acquired the structure from Habersham County for just over $1 million in February, the old courthouse had stood for about six decades.
City Manager Keith Dickerson told Now Habersham in February that Clarkesville’s Fire Station 3 likely will be relocated to about 1/3 of the land on the backside of the property, though the city has not yet decided on a use for the rest of the space there. The property is just over 2 acres in total.
Fire station 3, which was recently damaged by a fallen tree, has long been in need of a new and upgraded facility to house its firefighters, according to Dickerson.
Previous estimates appraised the courthouse property (with the building) at around $900,000 and just over $1 million without the structure. Clarkesville had previously offered $250,000 for the property before Habersham County officials triggered a counteroffer at $1 million earlier this year.
Last year, the former courthouse was nearly redeveloped until Atlanta-based firm Parkside Partners terminated the agreement.
Under that previous agreement, Parkside would’ve purchased the old courthouse and surrounding 2.07 acres for $500,000 with plans to repurpose the building for 21 luxury residential and condominium-style units that would overlook the downtown square.
That deal failed in October.
