Groundbreaking set for new Forsyth Co. courthouse, jail

CUMMING - Forsyth County will officially break ground for the county's new courthouse and jail on Monday, July 8 at 8:30 a.m.

The ceremony will be held at the project site at the intersection of Main Street and Veterans Memorial Boulevard in downtown Cumming.

The ceremony will signal the beginning of construction of the new courthouse and jail, both of which are funded by the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) VII program approved by Forsyth County voters in November 2011.

The current jail and courthouse complex was built in 1976, when the population of the county was just 23,700, according to County Public Information Office Jodi Gardner.

"Today, we have almost 188,000 people living in Forsyth County, so you can see we definitely have a need for a new complex," said Gardner.

"We are extremely grateful to the citizens of Forsyth County for recognizing the need for these new facilities and for their support of these projects," Commission Chairman R.J. (Pete) Amos said. 

"Without the voters approval of SPLOST VII, we would not be able to construct these critical components of our judicial and public safety infrastructure. A sincere thank you is extended to all the residents of Forsyth County."

Construction of both buildings is expected to be complete in December 2014. The $100 million project also includes a downtown parking deck.