“Courthouse Inn” project faces new deadline

The businessmen who want to turn the former Oconee Courthouse into a boutique-type hotel are facing a new deadline. Oconee County Council last night directed John Powell and Jim Carswell to produce an official document by council’s October 21 meeting that assures there is a lender willing to provide funds to repay a loan for the project. Powell and Carswell weren’t at last night’s meeting, but County Administrator Scott Moulder read a report from Carswell on the status of the project. Councilman Wayne McCall was among four members of council who agreed to allow the developers more time, saying that if the project fails the county will then be faced with tearing down the old courthouse at Main and S. Church at a cost estimated at $1.1 million