Alamance County staff presented and the board approved the acquisition of 301 West Pine Street, a house-sized parcel immediately adjacent to the courthouse and detention center, at county-assessed tax value of $183,000.

Presenter (staff) said the parcel would square off county property, allow expanded courthouse parking and help manage traffic on high-volume court days. Staff noted the county currently receives only about $907.90 per year in property taxes from the house and argued that purchasing the parcel at tax value would be reasonable for a future parking expansion.

Public speakers and several commissioners used the acquisition discussion to press a broader question: whether the separate $37 million courthouse construction project has an integrated plan for parking and other facilities. Multiple speakers expressed concern that the county lacks a full, integrated footprint and that change orders and related costs could push the project above initial estimates — one commissioner estimated total costs could approach $50 million without tighter planning.

Supporters of the parcel purchase said buying the lot now is prudent to avoid the county becoming landlocked in the future; opponents urged pausing the larger courthouse plan to produce an integrated plan for parking, staging and overall footprint before continuing with acquisitions and construction.

The board voted on the 301 West Pine Street purchase during the meeting and proceeded to later agenda items. The transcript does not record a formal roll-call tally for the purchase vote in the minutes excerpted, though the motion was made and the meeting continued.