If you have been through Reidsville in the last four years or so, you know the Courthouse is being renovated. It is a project that seems like is lasting forever. I can hardly wait until that over-sized chain-link fence is taken down and the place cleaned up!
In this week's paper, we have an article that mentions some ideas for landscaping around the Courthouse. It's written by Ronnie McCall and he actually wrote another one with more ideas although that one didn't quite make it in the paper this week. Sorry, Ronnie. We'll do it next week! Anyway, I thought the County Commissioners had already approved a landscaping plan but it seems like it's still up in the air. Who knows. I haven't officially gotten input from any of them yet on this.
But from talking with Ronnie, it sounds to me like the County is wanting to crowd Courthouse square with parking spaces. Sure, they favor some green spots here and there, but mainly just the parking convenience. This is supposed to be the centerpiece of the county!! A big ole slab of asphalt isn't going to be very eye-appealing. They may consider a public hearing for input from the citizens and that is exactly what they should do. Downtown Reidsville would be much better off with some professional landscaping, memorial brick walkways, trees, park benches or whatever! Some parking, sure, to go along with what's already there, but we should focus more on the appearance of the restored courthouse and the overall benefit to downtown. Let's build something and dress it appropriately so other counties will stop in and say, "Wow, that's a great job on your courthouse Tattnall County!"
The first photo here at the bottom is what the current stage of completion will look like. Of course, the final landscape is not included in this drawing.
The second photo shows the PROPOSED final courthouse, which would restore it back to its pre-1960s look (before the steeple was removed). This stage will have to be approved by the voters before construction proceeds. If the voters do not want to do this phase of the project, it will remain as the finished photo above this one.
The courthouse is being renovated through Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds and so will any future improvements. This is the extra one percent sales tax that voters approve for the county every five years or so.
8 comments:
This courthouse project has turned into a joke. I can't even remember when it wasn't being worked on! Why is this taking so long? I've seen $500 million skyscrapers go up faster than this renovation. If it's the money, I don't think that any work should have started until all the money was available. Are the commissioners that indicisive? Someone needs to start making some firm decisions and GET THIS PROJECT DONE. If it keeps up at this pace, the renovations will need renovations. Come on, get it together and let's have a county courthouse that everyone can be proud of - and that can be used. The momentum and excitment for this project is fading as each day is lost.
I agree the project is taking forever. But, in an effort to save money, the county is using inmate labor for almost all of the work. Sometimes those work crews are limited and although they do a good job (they did Glennville City Auditorium too I believe and lots of other county projects) they do seem to work at a much slower pace. The first phase of the courthouse renovation is supposed to be finished this coming December so it should be just after the first of the year when offices move back in!! yipee!
I grew up in Toombs County and the old court house there was in no way comparable with the Tattnall County c/house.. Just the first phase is prettier than the present Toombs c/house.. good choice Tattnall!!
Ben Barfield
I think it would be a big shame to turn the area around the courthouse in to some eye sore parking space. all they would have to do is get rid of that stupid trailer and shed out back and pave it to expand the parking in the back. They need to put the fountain back maybe make it a center piece on the side, put some nice little shade trees with some of them concrete benches around them. They need to give the city a more friendly appearance. Something a little more welcoming, not something so dreary and unappealing. We want to bring people to our county with big handshakes, not see them pass through. Don't get me started on the lack of resturants and entertainment around here. The rich keep getting richer and well the rest of us just sit there and take it.
If Tattnall Countians are getting by presently without the use of the old courthouse, why do they need it in the first place? Actually, what I really wonder is why Tattnall Countians needed the NEW courthouse. Why not just put up some temporary buildings until the old courthouse was finished? They used up most of the parking space when they built the new building. Hey! I know! Put a parking garage where the Alexander Hotel is! I guess when they are done at least the residents of Tattnall County can have a nice new place to be prosecuted in!
They can't even solve small problems with their convenience centers much less make decisions on a large project like the courthouse.
Hmmm, I take it you are referring to something specific? btw, we do post the hours of operation for the convenience centers on our website. It's under the "local" heading I think.
I have only lived in Reidsville for a little over a year but I have been watching, with interest, the renovation of the court house. I have traveled to other cities in Georgia and have fallen in love with many of the courthouses and am hoping Reidsville will go with the older version with the steeple! And please, leave the Alexander Hotel alone..it is quaint and charming to this city slicker!
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