Gatlinburg officials unveil design for combined public services complex; outline financing plan

City Manager Greg Patton and architects presented designs Monday for a new public services complex that would tie city hall, the police department and the fire department into a single secured facility while adding office and meeting space.

Architect Kelly Hennen described the project as “the public services complex,” saying the plan combines roughly 80,300 square feet of renovation with just under 25,000 square feet of new construction. Hennen said the design creates a single main entry with a security/reception checkpoint, an expanded commission chamber and courtroom, improved fire-department gear storage and formalized sleeping quarters and training space for firefighters.

The design, Hennen said, also leaves unassigned office space for future growth. “When you build this facility on day 1, you’re not already busting at the seams,” Hennen said. He described a circulation change at the main…