Montgomery County officials discuss leasing and renovating former retail space for Probate East

Montgomery County commission members spent the meeting’s information session debating a proposal to lease and renovate a 31,000-square-foot retail space on Atlanta Highway to serve as a new Probate East and county revenue storefront.

County staff said the space — a former Bargain Hunt in the Walmart Plaza on Atlanta Highway — is available for about $7 per square foot, roughly $18,000 per month, and that the county would sign a lease of up to 10 years while evaluating permanent options. Staff said the space would also be used to store election equipment and other county property currently held in two warehouses.

The discussion centered on trade‑offs between leasing the existing space to avoid service interruptions and buying or building a county‑owned facility. A county staff member explained that moving into the leased site would let Probate East continue to operate while officials plan a permanent building, and that immediate construction or land acquisition could force an extended East office closure. The staff member also said renovating a leased property could cost in the “neighborhood” of $750,000, with much of that likely for plumbing and restroom reconfiguration because the layout was built for retail shelving.

Several commissioners questioned spending taxpayer money to renovate a building the county does not own. One commissioner asked whether the lease or any negotiation could make the owner responsible for renovation costs; staff said they would investigate possible lease terms and legal structures. Commissioners also noted that purchasing and building a new facility could cost multiple millions of dollars and that prior opportunities to buy suitable existing properties had not materialized.

Commissioners and staff discussed alternatives considered earlier, including potential parcels on Atlanta Highway and previously discussed properties that were not available to purchase. Staff said some retail buildings the county examined were under contract or available only for lease. The county indicated the current proposal is a short‑to‑medium‑term solution while officials continue to research a permanent, county‑owned location.

Staff described the lease instrument discussed to date as a “shell” or term sheet; a full lease, with exit options and detailed renovation estimates, will be brought back to the commission for formal consideration.

Why it matters: Probate East is the busiest probate office in Montgomery County, and staff told commissioners that keeping it open during any move is a priority. The debate illuminates a common local government dilemma: pay to adapt leased space now to maintain services, or invest significantly to acquire and build for long‑term ownership.