The Alamance County Board of Commissioners voted to approve the county's purchase of 301 West Pine Street to expand courthouse parking, a motion that passed by a 3-2 margin after more than an hour of discussion about parking plans and the county's broader courthouse project.

Staff explained the property is adjacent to the detention center and courthouse and that the heirs of Nancy Allen agreed to sell the parcel at tax value, $183,000. The county's annual tax revenue from the parcel was cited as $907.90 per year.

Supporters of the purchase said the parcel completes a contiguous parking area immediately adjacent to the courthouse and would be the least complicated way to add spaces. "We're already pushed for parking all over Graham many days anyway," one commissioner said, arguing the lot would help alleviate crowded court days.

Opponents questioned whether the county had an integrated plan for the courthouse expansion and whether buying the lot piecemeal could drive the overall project cost higher. One commissioner estimated the courthouse schematic process had taken 14 months and warned the $37 million building cost could rise significantly when parking, furnishings and construction contingencies are added.

The board discussed alternatives, including purchasing larger outlying tracts to build a consolidated court complex, building a parking garage in partnership with other jurisdictions, or asking voters to approve a larger bond. During debate commissioners also noted construction would temporarily reduce existing parking during construction and that demolition and site-preparation costs would add to the county's near-term expenses.

Board action: a motion to approve the county's acquisition of 301 W. Pine Street for $183,000 was moved and seconded and recorded as approved by a 3-2 vote. The meeting transcript records the outcome as "3-2." The motion included authority to proceed with the acquisition and related steps to prepare the lot for courthouse parking.

The decision advances the county toward a near-term plan to add parking where it is most immediately needed, but several commissioners said they remain unconvinced the long-term courthouse footprint and financing have been sufficiently vetted and suggested further review for the larger capital project.