Tift County approves bid request for Gazette Building renovation to house temporary court and elections functions

The Tift County Board of Commissioners authorized staff to put the Gazette Building renovation out to bid after an architect presented plans to use the building temporarily as courtroom, clerk office and later as permanent offices for the Board of Elections and meeting space.

Architect Mac McCall of McCall and Associates described interior and exterior work: exposing steel truss barrel vaults, replacing roof sheathing and adding six inches of roof insulation, re‑stucing the exterior, new canopies and lighting, secure storage for records and card‑swipe access points. The plan includes a temporary courtroom, judge’s chamber, holding and jury assembly spaces and a secure area for long‑term records.

McCall said the design was reviewed with the clerk and a judge; staff reported the security comments were incorporated. County staff said renovating the Gazette Building first will allow the historic courthouse to be emptied and renovated and an annex addition to be built concurrently, which staff said is more cost‑effective than phased renovation while occupying the courthouse.

Commissioners voted to authorize staff to solicit bids for the Gazette portion of the project; the motion was seconded and approved. Staff said the board would receive bids and a recommendation before committing to construction contracts.