Murphy – Cherokee County commissioners got to see architectural plans for three building projects that will mark significant changes in how and where county government works.
Jeff Sherer of Matthews-based Architecture Unlimited presented draft plans to the board of commissioners for two approved projects and one conceived project that the firm has been working on since May.
The board hired the firm in May to plan three projects:
- A multi-story building off Hilton Street to house senior and veteran services, environmental health, Cherokee Transit and other county offices. Completion of the project will allow county government to move out of the Cherokee County Courthouse.
- A renovation and expansion of Emergency Medical Services Station 2 in Andrews.
- A spec plan for a multi-story building off U.S. 64 West beside the Cherokee County Department of Social Services that would house county health services.
The EMS station in Andrews is the simplest project. It would add two garage bays to the existing station and renovate the original structure to include more sleeping and living space for EMS crews. The existing building is dilapidated.
Sherer said bids will go out soon and he estimated that the project could be completed by the end of summer 2025.
The Hilton Street facility would house most county government functions and allow county government to move out of the courthouse and the courthouse annex off Peachtree Street, allowing the county to sell that property off as surplus.
The board of commissioners asked the firm to develop plans for a three story building, with the third floor left unfinished for future growth.
The main floor would house senior and veteran services, with other county services on other levels.
The Hilton Street project could be completed by May 2026.
The existing senior center near the Murphy Public Library would be used for other services.
Commissioners suggested minor tweaks to the design to maximize office space.
The health department building project off U.S. 64 West is speculative. It would house county public health and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) services.
Plans for that project will be used by the county while it seeks funding grants.
The board’s decision to shift plans to move emergency services and 911 services to the old National Guard Armory east of Murphy to the Cherokee County Schools central office at 911 Andrews Road enabled the county to move forward with these other projects.
Following a closed session in May, the board shifted $105,653 from the armory project to pay for the new plans.
Estimated costs for the EMS station and the Hilton Street projects were not readily available.