Officials break ground on new city hall building

By Staff
Jonathan Willis
City officials broke ground Friday on what will be the new city hall.
Construction on the site, which is located across from the post office on Jackson Avenue in Russellville, should begin this week.
The city purchased the land for $125,000 from Community Spirit Bank and will spend $762,000 for the construction of the building.
Mayor Johnny Brown said the city has outgrown the current facility, which has been used to house city hall and the police station since 1967.
"I wouldn't support building a new building just to have one," Brown said. "But, we have outgrown the current one."
Brown pointed to several areas where the ceiling leaks and to small storage areas that have left the facility cramped.
"This is a necessity right now," Brown said.
The new city hall will be 5,000 to 5,500 square feet and will include several offices, a meeting room, conference room and fireproof vault to store city records.
"It will be something the people of Russellville can have for many years," Brown said.
Councilman Burns "Buckshot" Saint said the current facility became too small when the city added the municipal court system a couple of years ago.
"It just got everything too cramped and we need more space," he said.
Hovater Metal Works of Russellville is expected to begin work on the building this week, officials said.
Once city hall is moved to its new location, the police department will be the only agency inside the current structure.
Councilman Thomas "Tinker" Malone said the current city hall would need work on it to accommodate the police department.