Murphy – By spring 2024, the Murphy Police Department will be moving from the cramped downtown location it has occupied for half a century to a former bank office building three times larger with off-street parking.
The town paid previous owner Samuel McAfee $565,100 cash for the 5,600-square-foot building at 498 Hill St., the town announced last week. The Cherokee County Tax Assessor’s Office assessed the building, which was once an operations center for United Community Bank, at $528,440.
Paying cash out of the town’s $3.83 million general fund balance allowed the town to avoid financing costs.
The existing police station, located in a ground-floor corner of the century-old Carnegie Library building it shares with the Cherokee County Museum, is about 1,900 square feet.
The Murphy Police Department has an authorized force of 11 sworn officers and one administrative assistant (the department has a couple of openings). According to town council member Frank Dickey, the police force was about half that size when it moved into the Carnegie Library space in the 1970s.
Part of the police headquarters was redone about a decade ago, but the entire office space shows its age and the fact that the department has outgrown its space.
Assistant chief Ryan Cunningham’s office also houses the department’s computer wiring. Gear and supplies are piled neatly in every available space within the offices. In addition, the police department takes up six parking spaces on Peachtree Street – nearly every street side parking space in front of the museum.
The facility at one point housed not only the police department, but the fire and electric departments as well. Fire and electric eventually moved to their own newer, more spacious accommodations. Now it’s the police department’s turn.
“The relocation marks a significant milestone for the department, providing ample space for growth, improved safety measures, and enhanced services for the town’s residents,” the town said in a release.
“I am very proud to work for a supportive town and community,” Police Chief Tim Lominac said. “This new location will modernize the department’s needs to ensure the best and most efficient service to all our citizens and businesses. Our officers and staff are all looking forward to the upcoming move.”
Mayor Tim Radford said the town council has been exploring the idea of moving the police station for years dating back to the previous board. Town officials were looking at two properties before deciding on the Hill Street property.
Town Manager Chad Simons said there is a $70,000 budget to outfit the new building. Town and police officials are traveling to Sylva this week to look at a recently completed police facility for inspiration.
The Hill Street facility offers a range of benefits that will greatly enhance the department’s capabilities. With increased space for training facilities, equipment storage, and administrative functions, the new building will foster a more efficient and effective police force, according to town officials.