Comments on: Decatur’s Illusive WEST Courthouse Square

By: Decatur Metro

Decatur Metro — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 15:33:02 +0000

Because of the predatory/birds-in-distress bird call recordings that play non-stop throughout the day from the roof to keep birds from smacking into the all-glass facade.

And because it doesn’t really have a name.

By: nelliebelle1197

nelliebelle1197 — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 11:12:59 +0000

You haven’t noticed the fake bird noises coming from the building? Have for years….

By: Staci

Staci — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 03:09:25 +0000

Why is it called the Birds from Hell building?

By: Lyn

Lyn — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 21:13:05 +0000

The West Court Square building is a relic from the early 1970s and a product of urban renewal funding that took out a large swath of downtown Decatur west of the square. So it’s been there close to 40 years. Chris is correct that the existing county courthouse complex also replaced a block of early 20th century buildings that were included in the urban renewal demolition.

By: Chris Billingsley

Chris Billingsley — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 13:58:30 +0000

You could also include the new courthouse complex. This replaced several old buildings, including the original Masonic Hall, a fine looking, two-story brick building from the late 1800s. I believe there was a drug store on the street level that was quite popular with DHS students during the 50s and 60s. The soda fountain was the place to be after school (at least until Sam’s Sandwich Shop opened).
Has anyone ever wondered why there are quite a few photos of businesses on east court Square but hardly anything from the opposite side? I remember the north, east, and south court areas as the hot spots for commercial activities in the 50s and 60s but not the west court.
Don’t be too hard on the present west court structure. My guess is that, over the past twenty years, the businesses that have existed in this building, and other “dumb growth” complexes (like the office buildings on Ponce and Clairemont) have contributed more in tax revenue and high paying jobs than all the “smart growth” chi-chi shops and bars around town today.
I think that Decatur has just the right amount of old and new structures among its commercial establishments. Isn’t diversity a good thing?