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Bank forecloses on Hall commissioners property
Powell deals with office buildings decreased value, loss of tenant
Billy Powell 0508
Billy Powell
A bank has filed for foreclosure on a property owned by the soon-to-be senior member of the Hall County Board of Commissioners.BB&T of North Carolina recently filed a notice of foreclosure on a $2.6 million debt Commissioner Billy Powell has with the bank on the 329 Oak St. property in downtown Gainesville.Powell is the third member of the current board to face financial difficulty. Commissioner Scott Gibbs’ home was foreclosed on in 2011 after his business went into bankruptcy. Commissioner Craig Lutz dealt with a personal bankruptcy in 2011.Still, Powell said he is still hopeful he can work out an agreement with the bank and that the foreclosure process may free the bank up to negotiate with him on the unpaid loan.The two-story building houses office space for a few businesses and government entities, including the Internal Revenue Service and Koch Foods.But a “for lease” sign with Powell’s name on it indicates there also are vacancies in the building.A website for Hall County’s Tax Commissioner’s Office shows that Powell is up to date on property taxes for the building.