More than a year ago, the city spent $2 million to purchase the downtown facility with visions of a one-stop human services facility.
But with no city or county offices lining up to take up office space, and the fact that no real work is scheduled to begin in the near future, the prospect of such a place coming on line seems more of a dream than reality.
Citing City Manager Connie Green as his source, Councilman Fred Latham said he didn’t believe the council would receive an update of any kind about the church until other capital improvement projects, such as the new police headquarters building, are under way.
“There was not anything right now we could do or discuss that would change that,” said Latham, who added that, as far as he knew, everything involving the church was progressing as it should.
However, some on the council want to know for sure.
For Councilwoman Claudia Brown, knowing what is happening with a city project is important.
“It surely should be on the agenda, especially when we are talking about the revitalization of downtown,” she said. “It’s time to really put it back on the agenda, and be aggressive actually, in completing those plans. We are growing as a city and we will definitely need those services for those in our community.”
Brown said she would support any council member who asked to have the item back on the agenda, and if none stepped forward she would ask for it herself.
“I believe someone will, and if not, I will certainly do it,” she said.
Councilman Billy Workman said he, too, believes an update is necessary, and would support Brown’s request to have it placed on the agenda by the end of February.
“I’m all for it,” Workman said. “I think it should be done immediately.”
Green, who spoke from his office Friday, said the city’s stance to focus first on other capital improvement projects before proceeding further with any improvements on the church was unchanged, and some city officials are satisfied with that stance.
“There is no action going on with the First Baptist Church,” Mayor Tim Hancock said. “No one has approached me, no one has asked me and no one has spoken to me about putting anything on the agenda to discuss anything. I see no need to discuss anything about the First Baptist Church at this time. I don’t want an update from anyone at this time.”
