Photo: Trim on the roof at the historic Grove Tower continues to deteriorate. Shannon McFarlin photo.
Paris, Tenn.–The Henry County Building and Grounds Committee will meet later this month to continue its discussion of the deteriorating condition of the county courthouse, courthouse annex, former Weston Hall and Grove Tower building.
The Grove Tower building’s condition is worse with each strong storm that hits, with the trim on the roof dangling more and more.
At Friday’s meeting of the Henry County Commission, commissioners discussed the deteriorating buildings and the impact they will have on the county finances.
County Schools Director Dr. Leah Watkins updated the commission on Grove Tower, noting that engineering estimates of needed restoration of the historic building are between $5M and $10M.
As we reported earlier, temporary stabilization was performed at Grove Tower in December by Renaissance Historic Exteriors at a cost of $176,000. Prior to that, the school district’s central office staff was ordered to vacate Grove Tower due to structural issues in April 2023. The staff has been operating at the Henry County High School since then.
Dr. Watkins said Grove Tower is being maintained, with school officials checking on the building inside and out on a weekly basis, she said.
Commissioner Paul Neal said Weston Hall (which now houses the county election offices and the county archives) should just get a new roof rather than a new building.
As reported previously, Commissioner Patrick Burns said the problems with the older county buildings are the result of past neglect and that he can’t see ‘saddling the taxpayers with that burden.’
We posted an article on the county budget and property tax rate increase Saturday.