Tyrone explores repurposing former town hall and police building

A decision by the Tyrone Town Council will have the former police department building used by the recreation department and the former Town Hall under consideration for use as a community museum.

Town Manager Brandon Perkins at the Nov. 19 council meeting recommended that the former police and municipal building on Senoia Road adjacent to Shamrock Park be repurposed for use as offices for recreation staff and as classroom and activity space, including for seniors.

Perkins said the current recreation offices in the recreation facility on Commerce Drive are small, adding that with the loud activities offered in the building recreation staff often have to use noise-cancelling headphones to conduct business.

The former police and municipal court building would provide a way to accommodate the requests over the years to expand recreation offerings, especially for seniors, said Perkins.

Perkins said portions of the basement could be used to store the town’s archives, for training classrooms, and for office space in the future.

Perkins also noted that the old courtroom in the building might serve as a polling place for future elections, adding that the county was receptive to the idea.

The vote by the council was 3-0-1, with new Councilman Billy Campbell abstaining.

Also on the agenda was a discussion on designating the council chambers in the former Town Hall on Senoia Road as museum space, with Perkins asking the council for direction on the topic.

An informal meeting of citizens will be held to explore the idea. The meeting will likely be in early December.

Perkins began the discussion saying that the former Town Hall holds a lot of historical significance. He said the Fayette County Historical Society agreed to consult with the planning for a museum.

Perkins cited the potential that the museum could essentially function as a separate entity, such as a nonprofit, suggesting that a committee be formed to get the idea off the ground.

Councilwoman Melissa Hill thought using the space as a museum was a good idea, as did Councilwoman Linda Howard, with Howard suggesting that a portion of the building could be used to house family photos and other items, whether as donations or on loan, as is done at the historical society.

Campbell agreed, noting the need to know what kinds of local artifacts would be housed on the site.

Hill also thought that portions of the building could be used as an event space.

The council decided the best approach would be to seek citizen input, and to determine the interest of having local residents serve on a committee to explore the idea.

Perkins said he would work to have the meeting as soon as possible, perhaps in early December.