CAIRO — A design for the proposed new Cairo Police Department building met with approval Monday night.

Greg Smith, principal with James W. Buckley and Associates, presented the plans to Cairo City Council members, which initially call for an 11,000-square-foot building. 

“It will fit in with the architecture of Cairo,” Smith said. 

The new police station could carry a projected price tag of $3.3 million, based on talks Smith said he had with contractors who built similar buildings. 

“We still have a lot of unknowns,” Smith said. 

Once the design is complete, it will take 60 days to finish bid documents and have the final design reviewed at the December 10 meeting.

If a bid is awarded in January, construction could start as soon as February and is estimated to take nine to 10 months to complete, Smith said.

Cairo Police Chief Keith Sandefur said he was happy with the floor plan and the traffic flow. The chief said his officers have looked at the plans and made suggestions, “from day one,” which he passed on to Smith.

“We’ve had great feedback,” Smith said.

Said Council member Jimmy Douglas, “If the police chief is happy and thinks it’ll work, I’m happy with it. My concern is how soon can we get it built and the big question is how much is going to cost and how we’re going to get there.”

Council members are considering how to approach the construction. Smith laid out three different ways for that to be accomplished and said his opinion over hard sealed bids has changed over the last 10 years.

“The problem with a hard bid is you could end up with someone who has no idea how to build your building,” Smith said.

There is some site work to be done, Smith pointed out, with the back corner of the lot needing to be raised four or five feet in order to get a level building pad.

Smith said one of the goals, once work is finished, is to have a building and a site that is relatively maintenance-free. Also, a nearby retaining wall has failed and requires attention.

City attorney Tom Lehman pointed out how close the planned police station will be to the Grady County Courthouse and the school board office.

“I see that as a positive thing,” he said.

The main entrance will face Third Avenue and parking will be along the right-hand side of the building, which will be at the corner of Third Avenue and First Street. 

The interior will have six different cubicles for officers. The current police building has four such cubicles. It also will have larger storage for evidence.

“This will be twice the size of what we have now,” Chief Sandefur said.

A metal roof, which could last as long as 30 to 40 years, for the building will be installed. 

Smith said having a one-story building will be more cost-effective, and the building could be expanded if needed in the future.

Also included are two holding cells, and the chief said those suspects and others detained in holding cells are there for at most three to four hours before being taken to the jail.

The project also could lead to a streetscape project, with sidewalks, pavers and lighting, for part of the street, Smith added.

The estimated cost does not cover furnishings for the building, Smith said.