Media release from Floyd County, GA:
Damage to the belltower of the Floyd County’s Historic Courthouse will require that the structure will be stabilized to see if it can be saved for future generations, and that’s going to take some time and patience from everyone in the community.
“It may take some time, but we have to work carefully to make sure people are safe before we can open up the roads near the Historic Courthouse,” County Commission Chair Rhonda Wallace said. “The fire was devastating to our community, and we need to make sure that no harm is done.”
There are some cracks on a portion of the Tribune Street side of the belltower where it joins the main building. The structural engineer has recommended that until the stabilization process is complete, all streets and businesses within the belltower’s potential collapse radius should remain closed and unoccupied.
“That means Fifth Avenue and Tribune Street will remain closed for several more weeks,” County Manager Jamie McCord said. “We are currently in contact with contractors and hope to have bids and award a contract within a short period of time to stabilize the structure, but the roads must remain closed while that work is being completed.”
The structure is surprisingly intact after the blaze last week, McCord said, but there is still a chance that portions of the structure could be unstable. In the short term the work that needs to be done includes shoring up the tower, removing loose brick, metal copings and damaged brick gables and shoring up many of the second-floor windows.
Fencing and barricades have been placed around the Historic Courthouse to protect the public and preserve the scene while the investigation continues, Public Safety Division Director John Blalock said.
However, on March 28, a group trespassed in the area after moving barricades. That incident remains under investigation, and anyone with information is asked to contact the Floyd County Police Department. Law enforcement officers are now stationed at the scene around the clock until the area is safe and the fire investigation is complete.
While the employees who worked in the Historic Courthouse had to move operations because of the devastating fire, the tax and tag offices are now fully operational across the street at 5 Government Plaza on the first floor, with four Tag Office windows and two Property Tax Office windows available.
For several more weeks Fifth Avenue from the bridge to Broad Street will remain closed, along with Tribune Street between Fourth and Fifth Avenues. In addition, the upper portion of the courthouse parking lot will also remain closed.
The lower portion of the courthouse parking lot has been designated as one-hour parking only, with enforcement in place. That lot may be accessed from Fifth Avenue from the river side of the Fifth Avenue bridge.
The Sixth Avenue parking deck is available to members of the public visiting the Judicial Center or the offices of the Tax Commissioner and Tax Assessor.
County officials are asking the public to continue respecting all closures and barriers as work moves forward to secure the courthouse site and hopefully preserve one of Floyd County’s most historic landmarks.
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