Judge Authorized to Try to Purchase Bank Building

Fayette County Commissioners authorized County Judge Joe Weber to negotiate for the purchase of the old Pioneer Bank building in La Grange. The building is located at 143 North Main Street, across from the Courthouse.

Commissioners discussed the potential purchase during a closed-door executive session during their meeting last Thursday, Dec. 10. After the meeting, Weber told the Record that County needs new office space for the County Auditor’s department and the Tax Assessor-Collector’s office.

The County leases the current County Auditor’s Office, which is located across W. Colorado Street from the former Oviedo Chevrolet dealership. Weber said the County pays $1,500 a month in rent for the office, which he said is too small for the Auditor and staff.

In addition, Weber said elderly and disabled residents have a hard time climbing the stairs to the Courthouse when they need to renew vehicle licenses or do other business at the Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office. He said the old Pioneer Bank building would provide the public with much better accommodations.

Weber said he and the commissioners have not yet decided how much they were willing to pay for the 8,571 sq. ft. property. A recent real estate listing for the property advertised a sale price of $499,000. The Fayette County Appraisal District lists a market value of $601,630 for tax purposes.

Commissioners have also recently discussed converting Founders Park into public restrooms and offices for a future county tourism and economic development office. After Thursday’s meeting, Weber said the County will probably not build tourism and economic development offices in Founders Park. Instead, he said the County would likely build restrooms and leave the rest of the park open. He said future tourism and economic development offices could go inside the old Pioneer Bank building.

Thursday afternoon, Commissioners heard proposals for Founders Park from three architecture firms. Look for more on that story in Friday’s paper.