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Tullahoma staff outline three options for aging city hall; study session to follow
Summary
City staff told the Board the municipal building (built 1954) has structural, plumbing and electrical issues and presented three high‑level options—rebuild on current site, build new elsewhere, or adapt an existing building. The board will schedule a study session to review the full feasibility report and cost estimates.
City officials presented a 30,000‑foot assessment of the Tullahoma municipal building on Jan. 27, saying the structure—originally built in 1954—shows evidence of water intrusion, aging plumbing and an electrical system that may not meet current codes.
City administrator Mister Quick summarized the work of a consultant team that inspected the building and prepared cost estimates and options. “The existing structure, we definitely have water damage, from deterioration masonry and stone veneers,” Quick said, noting recent roof leaks that struck electrical wiring and described a long clay water line running through the building that staff called “a major concern.”
The consultant team presented three possible paths: (1) construct a new building on the existing downtown site (estimated around $11 million, with demolition and relocation impacts), (2) build a new facility on a different city‑owned site (estimated $9–12 million, with design flexibility and potential to free the downtown parcel for redevelopment), or (3) adapt and renovate an existing non‑city building (costs vary; initial estimates could be lower, perhaps in the mid‑single‑millions, but depend on the building selected). Quick advised the board the cost to renovate the current building could approach the cost of a new structure and that the team needs more detailed pricing and site analysis.
Alderman Mathis asked whether renovating would be cheaper than rebuilding; Quick said the two options could be similar in cost and that preserving exterior stone/marble could add complexity. “The cost to renovate this site is gonna be the same and could be even a little bit more than if we tore it down and built it back up,” Quick said.
Staff recommended a study session to review the full feasibility report, detailed space calculations (the report estimates the city will ultimately need about 18,800 square feet), specific cost breakdowns and relocation plans. Quick said staff would provide the full report and coordinate a tour for board members of the building’s interior before the study session.
No formal decision was made; the board authorized scheduling the study session to examine the consultant report and next steps.
