The former courthouse just sits…and rots

Oconee’s no longer needed, old courthouse building still sits at the corner of W. Main and S. Church in Walhalla … and it has been one year since the county fathers decided to seek bids on what it would cost to demolish.  The 1956 building was closed in the early 2000s, and since has been a much-talked about subject as to what to do with it.  At one point, two builders pursued the idea of a boutique hotel, but a more common idea was demolish to make way for additional parking for those doing business at the replacement courthouse and the other points of interest on and around the courthouse square.  In calling for demolition bids, the council was influenced by St. John’s Lutheran Church member Luther Lyle.  From across the street, Lyle and his fellow church members have watched the further deterioration of the building. District Four’s Julian Davis, who made the motion last year, gave 101.7/WGOG NEWS the following statement this morning:  “Council majority did not put any funding in place to handle the matter.  I feel like it’s an urgent matter that needs to be taken care of and has been put off way too long.  It’s been an eyesore for the City of Walhalla and needs to be removed.  I thought everyone was in agreement to remove the structure but council’s direction seemed to have changed. When the vote was taken, we had many people thank us for taking every step to save it, but all of them understood the best thing to do was to remove.”