A drive into downtown Greensboro used to feature three stately oaks that framed the Greene County Courthouse. It provided a canopy on hot days and complemented the historic appeal of the city.
They are now gone, and questions have led to a blame-game and a fear of the public not knowing where and when things may occur with the courthouse.
The courthouse, designed to be the judicial center, was built in 1849 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The national registry serves to identify, evaluate and protect historic resources, including important buildings and landmarks. It also aims to identify buildings and structures that possess special historical significance through their location, setting, materials, and workmanship.
The oaks were cut down in July and have caused a lot of finger-pointing at the county for an action that many who live and work there had not expected. It is also seen as a precursor to what may include the courthouse moving to another location outside the city and is fed with a lot of speculation, enough so that a community action committee has been formed to voice opposition to any action taken.
Laverne Ogletree has been the Probate Judge since 1982 and first came on board in 1974. She is one of several Greensboro and Greene County residents who sit on the committee and oppose the move. She asserts that the committee has met a few times and is focusing its preservation efforts on a foundation for the courthouse formed in 2009.
A full-page editorial advertisement ran in last week’s Herald-Journal submitted by a lifelong resident of Greensboro, Frances Strickland.
She cited several concerns for the Greek Revival building if the judicial functions are moved, even if the present building serves a different function. She claimed that the county failed to inform residents of the possibility of the future of the courthouse functions being moved to a proposed “Judicial Center” to be located at the current site of the rodeo, where a new structure would be built. The site currently houses fire trucks, EMS, 911, the driver’s license division, prison, animal control, and others.
Strickland claims that the county’s vote during a called meeting in March to approve a fee proposal for architectural services from last year’s funds out of the general fund serves as proof of the county’s intent.
The city would then lose its important judicial anchor in the city and impede local downtown businesses. Further claims cite that the city lacks a detailed plan and failed to inform the public and taxpayers.
“The county is currently re-landscaping the courthouse grounds, which did include removing trees that posed a risk by falling branches and evidenced decay,” County Manager Byron Lombard said. “The county is additionally replacing some rotting wood, repainting the exterior, and performing some additional painting inside.”
Lombard asserts that other restorative work is needed inside the courthouse and planned over several years. He said he is aware of a small group formed but that there wasn’t anything clear for a response.
“There is no current, ongoing discussion about moving the courthouse,” he said. “There is always speculation and efforts to pre-empt any discussion over what is needed in the future. I am imagining this group committee is hoping to thwart any discussion that may arise in the coming years.”