Construction begins on Historic Courthouse Accessible Parking Expansion

As reported yesterday by WNEG News, work has begun on the expansion of accessible-specific parking at the Historic Courthouse in downtown Toccoa. 

On June 12, WNEG News reported that County Commission Board members had voted, during that week’s Board meeting, that additional parking would be added at the Stephens County Historic Courthouse in time for the early voting for the November 5 General Election. 

The plan approved by Board members at that early June meeting was to add parking to that area, removing one tree, with the remaining trees being preserved, and  approximately 20 parking spots to be added, the majority of which would be handicap accessible parking. Historic photos of the Courthouse property show that a large section of what is now landscaping between the north side of the Historic Courthouse and West Tugalo Street was paved parking. 

On June 18, WNEG News followed up on that initial report, noting that Board members had delayed action on the project to take into consideration public feedback on the subject  

County administration and elected officials held discussions with multiple concerned citizens in the following days, and this past Tuesday, at the August 13 Board meeting, Board members approved a reduced-footprint expansion that, opposed to the 20 new parking spots planned in the original expansion, would add an additional 5 to 7 parking spots to the three already existing parking spots at the location. 

County Manager Christian Hamilton and Board members stressed that the parking area was not being added to increase the overall inventory of parking in the downtown area, or even overall parking specifically for the Courthouse, but was being added specifically to serve citizens with mobility challenges and to meet legislated accessibility requirements. It was mentioned during the board meeting by several commissioners that, although the area on North Sage Street has been used for handicapped parking in past elections, that option presents a challenge for some people in wheelchairs or with other mobility challenges, and does not offer easy access to the government building to those covered by the ADA, or the county’s  elderly citizens. 

In the parking expansion now underway, a majority of the parking spots will be designated as parking that is American with Disabilities Act compliant and designated for accessible parking, with all parking spots in the parking area being reserved for ADA and elderly parking during voting and other official activities at the Historic Courthouse. 

During Tuesday’s meeting, Board members approved the low bid for the work, which was submitted by Piedmont Contracting for $52,240. The only other bid submitted was by Ed Hicks Construction for $66,950.

As part of the construction of the parking area, which will include work to level out the ground between the Courthouse and West Tugalo Street to eliminate the extensive water retention that currently happens during heavy rains. In addition, earlier this week, the magnolia tree that had been planted between the courthouse and West Tugalo Street was removed due to the poor health of the tree, and to make more room for the parking spots. The tree was marked for removal after an arborist determined that the tree’s roots were compromised by disease, and a past lightning strike on the trunk had damaged part of the tree,.

WNEG News talked with Hamilton regarding the changes in the parking area design, compared to the original plan.

Hamilton also spoke about the county’s plans regarding the magnolia tree that is being removed as part of the project.

WNEG News also spoke with Board member Chuck Wright following the meeting regarding concerns about the tree, and about the parking plan in general.

He said trees are important, but providing adequate servcies to the citizens of the community come first

Wright spoke further on the use of the historic courthouse for elections 

In recognition of the importance of the tree to community members, county officials worked with the county UGA Extension Office, and Agriculture and natural resources Extension Agent Erin Harper was on hand as the tree was removed to attempt to preserve portions of the tree to both attempt propagation, and to attempt to preserve some of the leaves to make a wreath to be displayed at the courthouse. 

Harper also spoke about the health of the Magnolia tree and the nearby historic oak tree.

For more information, contact Harper at 706-779-5501 or Hamilton at 706-886-9491.

Attached is a rendering of the Historic Courthouse campus prior to any work on the parking expansion project. Also attached is a rendering of the project currently underway. Per notes from County Administrator Christian Hamilton, “Please note up front that these renderings are not exactly to scale, nor will the parking lot look exactly like the renderings as pictured, which don’t included topography, grade, or existing conditions in them. We anticipate we will be able to have a few more spaces than what the renderings include, and we will not be placing a wall at this location at this present time. If all goes according to plan, we will have the parking lot completed within the month.”