LAWRENCEVILLE - The Gwinnett County Commission has decided to postpone expanding the county courthouse because of the county's financial situation. <br />
<br />
Commissioners voted on Tuesday to reject all nine proposals submitted for the project and move it back for consideration next year. <br />
<br />
The expansion plan calls for an addition of about 200,000 square feet and a multilevel parking garage for approximately 1,000 vehicles. The addition is intended to support judges' chambers, deliberation rooms and other functions.<br />
<br />
Steve North, the county's director of support services, says the delay will move the project back about a year. Construction on the building originally was scheduled to begin in December, with completion set for April 2013. <br />
<br />
The county, like other local governments around the country, continues to suffer from budget shortfalls brought on by the recession.<br />
