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Forsyth County advances upset‑bid process for Hall of Justice while scheduling briefing on community affordable‑housing proposals
Summary
After public testimony from community partners and a presentation from Anchor Development, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners voted 5–2 to publish an upset‑bid notice for the Hall of Justice while scheduling a Dec. 1 briefing so commissioners can hear alternatives that would use the property to expand affordable housing.
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 20 agreed to publish an upset‑bid advertisement for the Hall of Justice property at 200 North Main Street while also scheduling a Dec. 1 briefing so community groups can present alternatives that would prioritize affordable housing.
Laurie Ingram, executive director of Anchor Development, urged the board to pursue an equity‑focused alternative, telling commissioners: “Option 2 ... converts the courthouse's value into a permanent local housing engine with 3 coordinated tools” and proposing that one‑third of sale proceeds fund a community land trust, one‑third a rental stabilization fund, and one‑third home‑repair and first‑time buyer programs. Ingram said that model could deliver impact in year one rather than a multiyear retrofit.
Reverend Paul Robeson Ford, who led community partners calling for a pause, asked the board to “vote no on publishing this offer so that we do not miss a critical opportunity to address the affordable housing crisis.” Ford said his group sent a July 23 letter requesting a pause and meeting with the county to explore options; he criticized the leading bidder, Med Solutions Compounding Pharmacy Inc, for having “no stated plans to convert this property into affordable housing.”
Commissioner Woodbury moved a substitute motion that combined publishing the upset‑bid notice with directing staff to place a discussion of community proposals on the Dec. 1 briefing agenda. Commissioners debated whether advertising the upset bid would confuse bidders or foreclose alternatives; county staff and counsel advised that the upset‑bid process is procedural and does not commit the county to accept a bid. The substitute motion carried 5–2.
County attorneys explained the upset‑bid process can run concurrently with a public briefing and that publication does not obligate the board to accept the offer. Commissioners who opposed the substitute said delaying the advertisement would better protect the integrity of the bid period; supporters said running both processes in parallel preserves options and transparency.
The board invited Anchor Development and other community groups to present at the Dec. 1 briefing with no time‑limited public comment format, and said it would still allow the upset‑bid procedure to proceed on the published timeline.
What's next: the county will advertise the $2.6 million offer from Med Solutions Compounding Pharmacy Inc for upset bids while scheduling a public briefing on Dec. 1 to hear the Anchor group and other alternative proposals. The upset‑bid timeline can be stopped later if the board chooses not to proceed with a sale.
