Courthouse could get addition

County commissioners discussed SPLOST courthouse renovations that may include adding 3,000 square feet to accommodate a superior court request for additional office space and commissioner Carol Bass’ desire to keep the tax commissioners office in the historic building.Commissioners authorized Carter Watkins Associates Architects to draft blueprint schematics showing a 20-foot addition to the northern part of the courthouse, nearest the sheriff’s office. Architect Ben Carter said the addition and other requested changes can be made and the project still remain within the $2.5 million budget. The addition would extend 20 feet off the back of the courthouse and cost about $300,000 to $350,000 for the extra 3,000 square feet. ’It can be accomplished,’ Carter said. ‘Right now the county is struggling with space limitations. Adding all the walls in the grand hallway for office space adds a lot of expense. The addition would be a modern construction but the exterior would look identical to the rest of the courthouse.’