County closes on old bank buildi

Loudon County closed Dec. 28 on the purchase of the former BB&T building on Grove Street in Loudon.

County Purchasing Director Susan Huskey signed the papers Thursday and the county officially took possession of the property later that day.

The county purchased the building for $420,000 using American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Commissioners recently voted to buy the 10,000-square-foot property for use as a records storage facility. The county had proposed building a separate facility for records at an estimated cost of $600,000.

County Mayor Rollen “Buddy” Bradshaw said the real estate transaction was a great deal. He said the county had several storage challenges, including records removed from Loudon County Courthouse after the 2019 fire and other long-term storage needs for various departments.

He said the county had planned to build a 3,600-square-foot records building behind the county office building. The structure needed separate storage sections for each of the county departments to store records and equipment.

The new building offers more space at less cost per square foot and is already constructed, saving the county time and money. Numerous small offices will provide space for departments to store records.

“It’s ready to move in right now,” Bradshaw said.

Thomas and Rhonda Blue of Blue Family Realty sold the building, which had been used as a bank for about 50 years. Thomas said the building still has safety deposit boxes with keys and a full alarm and surveillance system.

Local courts will also use the building for records storage. General Sessions Court has been operating out of the former Loudon Utilities Board building on Alma Place in Loudon.

Steve Harrelson, clerk of the criminal, circuit, general sessions, juvenile and probate courts, said storage space was badly needed since the courthouse fire, which removed not only records stored in the basement but lots of current records.

“We didn’t have enough file space,” he said.

For more than a year, Harrelson has been looking for space while awaiting the rebuilding of the courthouse. He said he was looking for property downtown that would be near the courthouse.

“It’s going to be quick and easy,” he said. “We can just run across the street to pick up a file and be back at work in just a few minutes.”

Harrelson said based on his research the building was a great deal at roughly $40 per square foot. He said the building also has secure vaults that be used to store evidence and sensitive papers.

“The building really fits our needs,” he said.

On a tour Friday, Bradshaw and several members of county commission marveled at the amenities of the structure that has two walk-in vaults, several more safes and safety deposit boxes and a drive-up window.

“I wasn’t expecting anything like this,” Bradshaw said. “It’s a lot nicer than I thought.”

Commissioners toured the vaults, one of which was already equipped with storage racks, and the upstairs area, which was unfinished and showed evidence of the building’s age. According to markings on the upstairs walls, the building was built in 1906 for use as a post office and was remodeled in 1976.

Commissioner Bill Geames said taxpayers would appreciate that the county avoided spending $600,000 for 3,600 feet and were able to purchase 10,000 square feet for less.

“The county got its money’s worth,” he said.

Commissioners also toured the rooftop, which offered a great view of downtown. A ladder bolted to the wall offered access to another rooftop about 10 feet higher.