North Georgia county to buy former bank building for plan to expand courthouse complex

The Hall County Board of Commissioners announced its plan to buy the former Regions building on Jesse Jewell Parkway.

The former bank building, once bought, will be included in the county’s effort to expand its judicial complex next to the current courthouse in downtown Gainesville.

According to county officials, the decision to buy the Regions building “represents a significant step forward in the County’s long-term planning efforts to address the growing needs of Hall County’s judicial system while preserving the ability to accommodate future growth.”

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The county commission said the choice to buy the Regions building followed “a comprehensive evaluation” of multiple locations, facility needs and long-term development considerations.

“Our responsibility to the community isn’t just about today,” Hall County Board of Commissioners Chairman David Gibbs said in a statement. “These decisions will affect Hall County long after we’re gone. Our children and grandchildren will live with the benefits, and we want to make sure we get this right for them.”

After that effort, the commissioners chose the Regions building due to its courthouse already in use, while adding the opportunity to build on already-established judicial infrastructure and keeping the benefits of downtown access.

Moving forward, the county said planning, design and development activities will help them choose the next phases of expanding the judicial complex.

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