Clarkesville turns to public input for 555 Monroe property

CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — Clarkesville officials are shifting their approach to the future of the former Habersham County courthouse property, turning to a public-input process facilitated by the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission rather than immediately pursuing a request for qualifications from potential developers.

Mayor Franklin Brown said the change reflects a desire to hear from residents who have approached city officials with ideas for the property at 555 Monroe St.

“Public input. We’ve had a number of requests from people with different ideas and different opinions about things, and we decided that probably the best way to handle was have some public meetings,” Brown told Now Georgia after Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

The city previously discussed preparing a request for qualifications, or RFQ, after City Manager Jason Streetman took over in July. That approach was part of an effort to restart planning for the property, which the city purchased in 2025.

Now, the city is working with Adam Hazell, planning information services director for the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission, to help organize a process that could include stakeholder discussions, public meetings and a study of potential redevelopment options.

Brown emphasized that the first meeting, scheduled for Nov. 19, will not be an open forum for public comment.

“Now, this first meeting is going to just generally for information and for bringing the council up to speed on how to proceed,” Brown said. “It’s not really scheduled to be open for public opinion. We’ll have more meetings afterwards, which will be for public input, public comment.”

The initial meeting is scheduled for 2-5 p.m. at the Mary Street Community House. It is intended to bring together city officials and key stakeholders to discuss what is known about the property and begin identifying possible directions for the planning process.

In the meantime, Brown encouraged residents with ideas or suggestions to contact the city’s economic development director.

“At this time, if anybody has any ideas, suggestions, or opinions, please submit them to Economic Development Director Yvonne Marinelli,” he said. Marinelli can be reached at [email protected].

“We will certainly review them,” Brown added.

The number of public meetings and the length of the process have not been finalized. Hazell told council members Tuesday that similar planning efforts in other communities typically take about three months, although the timeline can vary depending on the city’s goals and how quickly it wants to proceed.

Brown said Clarkesville is planning for two or possibly three public meetings, depending on how the process develops.

“Well, that’s going to depend on how the first ones go,” he said. “You know, we may see a need for two or three. We may have the first open public coming to not see a need for more after that. We’re planning on two or probably three meetings.”

Hazell outlined a potential process that could include gathering input from adjoining property owners, local business and development organizations, real estate professionals, architects and engineers. The commission could also research development opportunities and assess how different uses might fit with downtown Clarkesville.

The goal, Hazell said, would be to provide city officials with information and recommendations to help guide their decision-making. The commission would not make the final decision for the city.

Brown said officials intend to consider the public’s input alongside the findings of the new study before settling on a direction.

“We’re just going to let the chips fall where they may after we get input from the GMRC and public,” Brown said.

He noted that two previous studies of the property recommended a hotel, specifically a small hotel. The city is now having a third study conducted through GMRC.

“We’ve had two done, and both recommended a hotel. Small hotel. So we’re having a third one done by GMRC,” Brown said.

Previous discussions about the property have included the possibility of a downtown hotel, a new fire station or a combination of public safety and private development. City officials have said they want the property’s eventual use to complement downtown and reflect the community’s priorities.

For now, the city is seeking input and additional information before deciding what should happen next.