ELLIJAY, GA – In a special called joint meeting of the Gilmer County Board of Commissioners and the Building Authority, discussion has continued revolving around the Tabor House and the Watkins House.

The Building Authority offered up their desires to gain an inspection of the house, but their attempts to acquire a quote for the inspection came back with a $4,800 quote for a full inspection. Originally thinking the quote rather high, after a previous building inspection the commissioners acquired for a different building totaled around $600, discussion continued about differences in codes and regulations for historical structures as opposed to other buildings.

Building Authority Board Member Joene Deplancke spoke about the original quote being focused on maintaining the building as a historical site and proposals for modifications for the historical status. However, the Tabor House currently has modifications that could deny historical site status.

Citizens may still want to push for changes to maintain the historic site as one of the last few historic sites in Gilmer county. Commission Chairman Charlie Paris stated the current plan for the Watkins House involves moving over some of the museum from the Tabor House along with space being utilized by the Gilmer Chamber as a welcome center. Additionally, the County currently has a proposal from Gilmer Arts to display items from their collections as well.

Part of the plan to move forward, and a part of what the county wants out of the inspection, is a cost estimate to fix and repair the Tabor House. Additionally, termite inspections were requested as well.

The option of selling the Tabor was shortly considered as the Commissioners debated upon options such as leasing the property, selling it, or potentially selling the building while maintaining the land.

However, no final decision has been made about the two houses’ ultimate future. The inspection for historical or repair purposes was suggested to be considered at a later date as Post Commissioner Travis Crouch stated, “I’m reluctant to spend $4,800 until I get that termite inspection.”

Gilmer Chamber President and CEO Paige Green spoke with the two entities on behalf of the Chamber asking for a clear, defined structure if it is considered to house pieces of three different spaces in the Watkins House. The possibility of combining the Chamber, the Historic Society, and Gilmer Arts into the same space requires a certain amount of organisation.

Although the conversation has continued for a while, the Building Authority and Commissioners seem to have set a plan moving forward as the Board of Commissioners are waiting to move furniture and equipment for Planning and Zoning out of the Watkins House. With the move, the County will be utilizing the old CID Building with furniture collected from a deal with Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) involving an older building’s excess furniture.

Paris stated as soon as the furniture gets in, possibly in September or October, they will move the Planning and Zoning, and can begin moving forward with occupying the Watkins House with other entities. However, a final decision will need to be made on the inclusion of Gilmer Arts in the use of the building.

Green and DePlancke mentioned concerns to continue usage of the Tabor House. Considering the size of the collection the Historic Society has, Green suggested the two buildings could pair very well with ideas like revolving exhibits. The Tabor House could even include space for other entities like the Good Samaritan Church or Gilmer Arts.

Even as the Historic Society may soon be utilizing the Watkins House for museum space, the Tabor House stands as a separate issue being undertaken beginning with the inspections. The Board of Commissioners indicated they may be looking at their coming budget discussions for funding to begin historical inspections and repairs in 2018.

 

 

 

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