ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — The expansion of the Orangeburg County courthouse complex continues with the purchase of ATown Wings. It’s a move the county says is necessary to give them more room to do their work.
Last week the Orangeburg County council authorized the $600,000 purchase of the restaurant and the parking lot beside it. The county plans to use the land for green space and additional parking.
Donna Miller is a frequent customer at ATown Wings and says she hopes to see ATown stay in Orangeburg.
"I will say I am happy the fact that Orangeburg is growing and some of these dilapidated buildings, said Miller. “They're taking them down and trying to make Orangeburg look better. However, A Town Wing is a place that is very convenient for people who are working even the students to come and get something to eat fast and it absolutely tastes delicious so it's a bitter sweet situation right now.
County Administrator Harold Young says the restaurants lease will stay until construction is ready for the county courthouse.
"We extended that lease until we're ready to demolish it,” said Young. “That will give them time to decide whether they want to.. where they're next location will be. We hopefully that they won't close down, they'll just move somewhere else cause there are a lot of people who like their product."
The county has already begun tearing down other buildings to get ready for the new courthouse…which will replace the one that’s been in existence since 1928.
"And with more space it would allow us to have court more frequently,” said Young. “Which would help us adjudicate criminals better and be better for the citizens of Orangeburg County."
Once construction begins, the county estimates the project will be completed in eighteen months.