The Jefferson Jimplecute is conducting a survey to see what your thoughts are on the location of City Hall. The City is holding a Town Hall meeting at 6p on November 1 to formally gather input. The results of this survey will be presented at that meeting. The survey will close on October 31.
At question is what to do about City Hall. The current, official, structure used by the City at the corner of Polk and Austin streets was found to be structurally unsound back at the beginning of 2023. The City insurance provider has denied the City’s insurance claim as the City failed to provide adequate maintenance on the structure, leading to the current status. As such, City offices moved to the “classroom” in the Jefferson Visitor’s & Transportation Center.
Office personnel have expressed their concerns over this location, citing issues including sound echoing, lack of privacy, and safety. As such, Council is considering relocating City Hall to a more permanent short-term location, if it can be located.
Jefferson ISD has proposed closing the Primary Campus at the end of this school year due to student population not being high enough to support the expenses related to the fourth campus. JISD School Board has not made a final decision on the matter. However, to help preserve the building, and assist the City, JISD has discussed entering into an interlocal agreement with the City and County to use the building.
The County has not formally discussed, or committed to using the structure at this time.
If approved, the City would move City Hall offices into the main building, utilizing the various classrooms as offices. The City has discussed enlarging some of the classrooms by removing walls to create meeting rooms, council chambers, etc. If this would be allowed by JISD has not been determined.
The Marion County Community Center, currently located on Haywood Street, could also be part of the agreement. They could occupy the gymnasium, playground, cafeteria buildings, and outdoor greenspaces for events, etc. This has also not been approved.
Residents of “Frogtown” have expressed concerns over the City using the buildings as the structure was the original Central High School prior to desegregation. Community leaders are concerned over the potential for the loss of the history associated with the building, and the City’s track record on lack of maintenance of it’s facilities. An unofficial town hall was held earlier this month to gather input from residents of Frogtown on the proposal.
The Jimplecute hopes residents, property owners, and business owners will complete the survey.