The Chatham County Historic Courthouse Task Force presented its report to the Board of Commissioners Tuesday on possible uses of the 1881 courthouse when it is rebuilt. The report recommends retaining a judicial courtroom on the second floor while adding new functions to the first floor that would attract more visitors.
The task force urged having a courtroom on the second floor, one that would look as much like the old courtroom as possible, but with updated sound, lighting and technology as well as being easily accessible to disabled visitors.
The recent installation of a temporary roof and related repairs on the courthouse will require the partial closing of the traffic circle in downtown Pittsboro for two days next week. The south side of the traffic circle in front of the Courthouse Annex will be closed Sept. 13-14.
“This means that people will be able to get halfway around the circle heading from the east to the west, but not from the west to the east,†said David Hughes, director of Chatham County Public Works. Detour routes for eastbound and north-south traffic will be marked.