According to county documents, an additional $1.5 million is still needed to fully fund construction of the proposed Fairhope Satellite Courthouse expansion--although the construction contract has already been awarded (Stuart Construction, Bay Minette).In 2008, an earlier proposal caused controversy when a a small strip of land (south-east side) was purchased by County Commissioners (from Fairhope Realtor/longtime Councilman Mike Ford) for over twice its appraised value, allegedly because no more "parking lot" land was available, but subsequently about an acre was purchased for that same purpose nearby (west).

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