City and county officials looked at the old courthouse

Amanda Brock, Oconee County administrator, admits that she’d like to see the county’s old courthouse saved–at least part of the 1956 building.  Danny Edwards, the Walhalla mayor, commented this week that he believes Brock would be an ally of those who prefer to keep old buildings and save them from demolition.  However, the building continues to deteriorate, and personal safety was on the minds of Brock, Edwards, and Brandon Burton, the city administrator, when they wore helmets during their recent tour of the building.  In an interview with 101.7/WGOG NEWS, Brock stressed that apart from any personal preference she might have, the decision of what’s done with the building at Walhalla’s W. Main and S. Church streets will be that of the county council.  At least one county councilman about 20 years ago wanted to demolish the building and create additional parking for the replacement courthouse.  Through the years, two private builders pursued plans to renovate the structure into a small hotel, but that did not work out.  One judicial official had ventured the thought that the large courtroom section in front of Main Street could be re-worked into a restaurant or community gathering center.