With additional downtown parking in mind, Cullman County Commissioners recently purchased a building near the courthouse that they plan to convert into parking spaces, Chairman Wiley Kitchens said.

The property, approved for purchase during a June 26 Commission meeting, is the last remaining property on the block south of the courthouse. The transaction will eventually clear the way for the construction of a new parking lot.

Commissioners purchased the building at 610 2nd Avenue SW for just over $365,000. Title Cash currently leases the building.

For some time, Kitchens said commissioners were interested in buying the property that is located next to the Cullman County Economic Development building between 6th and 7th streets SW.

“We’ll tear the building down for additional parking,” said Kitchens. “When we tear that building down, we’ll go in there and make one large parking lot.”

Kitchens said he tried to buy the building two years ago when the Cullman County Commission partnered with the Cullman County Industrial Development Board to purchase the Bledsoe Building for CCED from dentist Dr. John Nielsen but could not come to terms with the owners.

Kitchens says finding a parking place near the courthouse can be difficult at certain times.

“When we have court, it’s hard to find parking around the courthouse here,” Kitchens said. “A lot of people will pull into the private lot and park.”

Title Cash will pay the county $1,111 a month in rent until commissioners notify the business owner that they need the property.

Kitchens said commissioners would give Title Cash a six-month notice so the business can relocate.

The building was previously owned by Agnes Fuller and Neal Fuller. Agnes’ son, Dr. Wayne Fuller, an optometrist, acted on his mother’s behalf with her power of attorney.