ICYMI: County Announces New Courthouse Ribbon Cutting in Cumming

Forsyth County is inviting residents to the ribbon cutting of the long-anticipated new courthouse in downtown Cumming.

“The courthouse has historically been the center of the community, located in the town square,” Chief superior Court Judge Jeffrey S. Bagley said. “The decision to place our courthouse once again in the center of the county seat symbolizes the importance our community places upon the business we will conduct in the new courthouse; proceedings that will affect the lives, property and honor of our citizens for years to come.”

Voters approved a $100 million in November 2011 to fund the new courthouse, jail expansion and related parking facility, according to the Forsyth County Website. The funding was part of the Special Purpose Local Options Sales Tax program.

Construction for the new courthouse and jail facilities,located at the intersection of Main Street and Veterans Memorial Boulevard, began in the summer of 2013, according to a previous Patch story.

The new courthouse building has five floors plus a basement and will house the Superior Court, State Court, Solicitor-General District Attorney, Clerk of Courts, Court Administration, Grand Jury, Jury Assembly, Pre-Trial Services, Accountability Courts and Indigent Defense, according to a Forsyth County press release.

The new jail will have three inmate levels, a support level and enhanced security systems, according to the news release. The jail will start with 356 beds and have a total inmate capacity of 608.

The ribbon cutting ceremony is slated for Thursday, March 12 at 10 a.m. Anyone is welcome to attend, and guests will be able to go inside and see the new courthouse after the ceremony.

Renovation of the existing courthouse will begin after the new courthouse opens. The building will be renamed the Forsyth County Courthouse Annex and be the new home of the Sheriff’s Office headquarters and Probate Court. The old jail will be demolished, making new space for surface parking.

-- Photo from Forsyth County website.