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needs to be
maintained
Columbus County courthouse is the county’s most historically significant building, so reports that termites are eating away at interior wood should come as no real surprise. The problem underscores the need for maintaining the courthouse’s structural and aesthetic integrity.
A quick visual of the building shows how much wear and tear it gets. The floor is worn, the paint is old. Some parts of it are downright musty. It’s not a building that one would be real proud to show visitors.
In recent years, there have been calls to build a new courthouse, but the cost has been prohibitive.
While the courthouse doesn’t have to be a showplace (and the money isn’t available to make it one) this doesn’t mean it has to be embarrassing, either. Court staff having to swat at swarming termites flying around their offices isn’t a good sign it’s being cared for.
The maintenance and cleaning crews are probably doing all they can to make the courthouse presentable, but it’s to a point where there isn’t much to work with.
One day, we’d like to see the county do a significant overhaul of the interior, keeping in mind that it is a historical building and its heritage needs to be preserved. We’d also like to see the county, city and N.C. Department of Transportation partner to design and build streetscape features, bury electrical wires, install decorative lighting and generally improve the appearance of the Courthouse Square area, in large part because it is the point of contact for many visitors traveling through or looking to live here. First impressions are important, and the courthouse and Courthouse Square do not present the best impressions now, although some steps have been taking in recent years, such as replacing the concrete medians and planting trees.
But until that day when these projects can be funded, the courthouse needs an annual and meaningful allocation to keep it in a reasonable condition. Even if a new courthouse is built one day, which is inevitable, the courthouse will still be the county’s most significant historical building for the next few generations.
She’s worth the TLC she deserves.