Town construction projects considered

Rutherfordton Town Hall and the Rutherfordton Police Department are presently located in this building on Main Street. Jean Gordon Photo.

A new town hall facility and new police department headquarters are in the future for the Town of Rutherfordton.

The present facility provides office space for the police department and town hall staff and as both continue to grow in personnel, it's becoming crowded.

"We're running into space needs," said Town Manager Doug Barrick.

The police department and town hall offices relocated to Main Street in 2000 after being on West 1st Street, Rutherfordton for many years, where they also shared office space with the fire department. The former building is now the home of the Firehouse Inn.

Barrick said as the police department requires more and more space for evidence and reports and as the staff is increasing, there isn't enough room for all that's required.

Town Hall needs space for the Community Development Director, Main Street Director, Rutherford Town Rising and the Town Manager, as well space to serve the public.

"So space is an issue," Barrick said.

In 2020 the Town hired an architectural firm to begin drawing plans for the future.

The report showed the police department needs about 5,000 square feet and town hall between 3,000 to 4,000 square feet. The present building is only 5,000 square feet.

Rutherfordton staff and leaders spent time with the state legislators and shared the strategy with them that resulted in a $7 million allocation that was presented to the town, "to tackle the issue" Barrick continued.

Based on the police department's needs, the offices will remain at the present location with significant renovations. The plans also call for a small addition for vehicle evidence processing, Barrick explained.

The layout there is functioning well for the police department.

Town Hall's future office space will be on Main Street and two locations are being considered by Town Council.

One possibility is the empty lot across the street from the courthouse on the corner of 2nd Street and Main Street. The other possible location is the vacant space where Legal Grounds was located before it was condemned and demolished earlier this year.

Both properties would be sufficient for town hall offices.

"We will look at the properties to see which makes the most sense. As we are looking for the opportunity to relocate Town Hall, we are blessed to have both of these town-owned properties," Barrick said.

Both properties are in a great position for a community that thrives on a vibrant Main Street, he said.

Barrick said the vision for the new town hall and police department could meet the needs of the town for the next 30 to 50 years.

Town Council could make a decision at the January or February 2024 meetings regarding the choice of the properties and choosing an architectural firm, Barrick said.