It’s occupied the local landscape for almost sixty years and has been called the ugliest courthouse in Georgia. Soon, the yellow brick building with the brass tower clock at the corner of Monroe Street in Clarkesville will be nothing more than a distant memory.
Habersham County and Clarkesville city leaders are proceeding with plans to demolish the building, which has sat vacant since 2018. The old courthouse occupies a prime piece of real estate on the square in downtown Clarkesville. Developers say the building, in its advanced state of disrepair, limits the property’s marketability.
“For that reason and concerns with the structure itself, Habersham County soon will advertise for public bids for demolition of the now obsolete structure,” Habersham County Public Information Officer Rob Moore says in a press release.
Money for the demolition will be fronted by the City of Clarkesville and the Habersham County Development Authority, with the money to be repaid within ten days of the property sale.
An intergovernmental agreement between the parties sets forth 3% annual interest will be added to the capped loan principal amount.
“We paused plans for demolition after hearing that some developers might be interested in renovating the existing structure,” says Habersham County Commission Chairman Ty Akins. “What we found is that it seems most developers prefer a clean slate, you might say, where they can begin work immediately rather than being delayed by the demolition process.”
Once the demolition process is complete, the Development Authority will issue a request for proposal (RFP) for marketing the property for redevelopment purposes that align with the vision of the city, the county, and that authority.
Clarkesville City Councilman Franklin Brown says he and other city leaders look forward to working with all stakeholders to move forward with the project.
“The City of Clarkesville is ready, willing, and able to work with the county and the Development Authority to make our dream of redevelopment come true,” Brown says.
The county commission, Clarkesville Council, and Development Authority will each vote on the proposed intergovernmental agreement at their next meetings.
