By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.—-With an eye toward an ambitious plan that would involve construction of a new fire department and remodeling of the present municipal building to create a new police department and city hall facilities, the Paris City Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a letter of intent to apply with the USDA for a bond issue and to give the green light to the TLM architectural and engineering firm to move forward with the design phase of the project.
The actions came at the close of a public meeting called to review the municipal facilities study previously completed by TLM. Representatives of both USDA and TLM made presentations at the meeting: USDA Area Specialist Brandon Orr and TLM Architect Ginger French.
The study spotlights the need for new and/or expanded facilities for both the fire and police departments and other municipal offices. The present City Hall building was opened in 1961.
At the outset of the meeting, City Manager Kim Foster noted the study calls for a $19.5M project that would be completed in the spring of 2027, if the city decides to take on all phases of the project under discussion.
Under the three-phase plan, a new fire department would be built in the space behind the present City Hall. The next phases would call for 90 percent of the present fire department to be torn down and a new City Hall to be constructed there with the final phase to involve the remodeling of the present municipal building to include an enlarged police department. City Manager Kim Foster said after the meeting that under the plan, the police department would be enlarged from its present 5,000 square feet to 17,000 square feet.
Under the plan, the Fire Department would face Washington St., with construction of drive-thru bays for the fire trucks; the department does not presently have drive-thru bays.
Foster told the commission, “At some point in time, we will have to do something. If not build new, then we’re going to have to spend money to renovate this facility. And historically, you’re going to spend more money the longer you wait.”
Both the fire and police departments need more space, she said, noting that such a project could help the city’s bond rating “since it involves building to support your fire and police departments. That is the foundation of any infrastructure. Your city is going to grow and is growing. TCAT is building a new building, a new county health department will be built, Stockdale’s is building their new building out on the highway and there is a possibility of a new retail development coming here. And we have the industrial park that will be finalized.
“All these things are coming together now and they will be increasing our property tax base,” Foster said.
Henry County Mayor John Penn Ridgeway, Paris-Henry County Industrial Committee Executive Director Rob Goad and Assistant Director Tara Wilson were on hand for the meeting, as were city of Paris department heads. Goad reported on progress with the industrial park and retailers showing interest in the county.
Orr said the USDA has worked with the Paris BPU on several capital projects, including the new treatment plant, and has been involved with the construction project for a new Martin Public Library.
He said a 3.75 percent interest rate would be locked in until the bond issue is closed. He said there is a lot of flexibility within the structured funding plan and that if the city decides at some point not to go forward, there would be no financial penalty.
Commissioner John Etheridge said, “Even our Civic Center is 25 years old now and our buildings are aging. I’m convinced of the need for more space, particularly for the police department.”
Commissioner Jackie Jones agreed. “I think we owe it to future commissions to start planning now. I’m totally for Ginger to go ahead with her study.”
“Just look at Volunteer Drive today’, Etheridge said. “There was nothing there before and the city commission saw a need for it. It was not a popular decision at the time because people thought it cost too much. And I think there was a city commission change after that. But look at Volunteer Drive now and what a great decision that was for the city.”
Commissioner Sam Tharpe said, “We need progress in this community and we have the opportunity to do it now.”
The design phase by TLM will cost $84,000 and the city commission will not formally decide whether or not to go forward with the project until that is completed.
Photo: TLM Architect Ginger French presents information to the city commission. Shannon McFarlin photo.