After surviving a previous vote for demolition, the old Habersham County courthouse that has stood in downtown Clarkesville for six decades could now be torn down in the next 60 days, pending county approval.
The Clarkesville City Council came out of executive session Monday evening, Feb. 3, and voted unanimously to purchase the property for $1 million. An additional $190,000 will be paid by Clarkesville to the county to demolish the building.
“It’s a dream,” Mayor Barrie Aycock said. “I never thought it would happen. It’s like, ‘Okay, I can retire now.'”
City Manager Keith Dickerson said the city will pay $190,000 cash and acquire a loan to finance the $1 million to the county.
Dickerson told Now Habersham Clarkesville 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.
“(Fire Station 3) needs to be located downtown,” Dickerson said. “We’ve had tremendous issues with the (current) building. It’s just time to get into a better building…it’s been flooded three or four times.”
Councilwoman Angelia Kiker, who was quick to second the motion, was smiling after the announcement Monday.
“It’s amazing,” she said. “We are controlling our destiny.”
Councilman Franklin Brown agrees. “It feels good,” he said. “We’ll finally get something done there and create a draw to Clarkesville.”
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.
Previous agreement
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.
