A Flagler County ad hoc committee tasked with deciding how to use the vacant courthouse in downtown Bunnell has recommended county officials should seek tenants and redevelop the historic facility.
But is there a real future for the building?
The Ad Hoc Historic Courthouse Committee gave its recommendation earlier this week to the County Commission, but it could be expensive. With the recommendation out of the way, the committee wasn't disbanded.
Flagler County commissioners told committee members to work until March 31 to find enough tenants for the courthouse and its annex to make it a breakeven endeavor.
Currently, it's costing Flagler County about $6,000 a month to keep the air and power on inside the building. The city of Bunnell backed out of a deal to take over the courthouse and use it as its city offices.
Several efforts to find potential buyers or tenants haven't panned out, but an open house held back in August showed there could be some interest in public-private partnerships. It is unlikely one company would be willing to take over the entire facility, though.