‘I’m sick of looking at it’: Clarkesville urges county to demolish old courthouse

(Daniel Purcell/NowHabersham.com)

The city of Clarkesville has submitted a strongly-worded formal letter to Habersham County’s Board of Commissioners requesting the county proceed with potential plans to demolish the old courthouse building on the downtown square. 

Clarkesville City Council reviewed the letter at a special called meeting at City Hall Tuesday, Dec. 3. 

Clarkesville City Council discusses demolition of old courthouse building (Brian Wellmeier/Now Habersham)

“This building has been sitting vacant in the center of our beautiful historic downtown for too many years, becoming dirtier and uglier with each passing year,” the letter states in part. “The building design was never considered to be an asset to our city, often being referred to as the ‘ugliest courthouse in Georgia’…”

Clarkesville Mayor Barrie Aycock said that she planned to deliver a public statement to commissioners and request they move forward with demolition at Tuesday night’s county commission meeting.

“I don’t want to have to look at that nasty building anymore,” Aycock said. “I’m sick of looking at it. It’s just been too long.”

Mayor Barrie Aycock (Brian Wellmeier/Now Habersham)

In the past, a previous option for the fate of the former courthouse had Habersham’s Development Authority and the city of Clarkesville each allocating $250,000 for demolition of the structure. That sum, as proposed, could then be recouped with interest upon the sale of the property to a potential investor.

No decision has been made regarding what the demolition process could look like – or which entity could fund it. 

“It’s up to the county on what they want to do as far as demolition,” Councilman Brad Coppedge said. “…nothing has changed for the city of Clarkesville. We are committed to either buying the property – which we tried to do a year-plus ago. (Or), we’re committed to loaning the county money to take the building down.”

Councilman Brad Coppedge (Brian Wellmeier/Now Habersham)

All but one council member signed the letter to county officials. 

Coppedge was the lone council member not to sign. Coppedge said that while he still endorsed the letter to commissioners, he believes the letter should’ve been drafted collectively by council.

Coppedge, who said Aycock wrote the letter, said he didn’t feel excluded from the decision in the process. 

“I don’t disagree with anything in the letter,” he said. “I support that. I would’ve preferred if the letter would’ve been developed amongst us in session. That’s where my mindset is. I like group sessions. That’s why I joined city council.” 

City Manager Keith Dickerson said he recently learned the potential cost of demolition has come down from previous estimates. The final cost, though, remains to be seen.

“As we all know, there have been numerous attempts by reputable companies to repurpose the building, but it has recently become obvious that this is not a viable option due to the current condition of the building and today’s construction costs,” the letter to county commissioners goes on to say. “…(we) urge each of you to vote this evening to proceed with specific plans to demolish the building.”