Town Hall, Police Department, Community Center/Shelter Project
New Town Hall
The Town is excited to invest in a much-needed facility that will house a new Town Hall, Police Department, and Community Center/Shelter, all of which will be located in an existing town-owned building. The project involves creating a new, healthy, and secure facility for use by town staff, police, council members, and the general public. It will also serve as a warming/cooling shelter during natural disasters and power outages in the town.
Funding for the project comes from existing capital improvement funds, the United States Department of Agriculture Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program, and a commercial loan from Locus Bank. The total project cost will be approximately $400,000.
TAS Design, Inc. is the architect and contractor for the project.
Investment for the Future
The town-owned building was partially renovated in 2017, but was never completed. While the downstairs is complete and in compliance with the Uniform Statewide Building Code, the upstairs is unfinished and not up to code. There are currently no restroom facilities, access to water, or HVAC. Only minimal electrical infrastructure exists in the space. The Town used some of its federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to install a fire sprinkler system in the upstairs space in 2021. This was a massive step in getting the space compliant with the building code and making it somewhat usable. The current, temporary town offices are located in two modular units in this space.
The new town hall demonstrates the Council's commitment to maximizing the building's safe and healthy use for residents, businesses, and staff, while also creating a professional space and image for the Town well into the future.
Police Department
The project involves creating a secure police facility that meets the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) standards. The existing police department space does not meet current standards. The department will have its own secure area for the storage of weapons and drugs seized during daily operations and will house IT equipment for the town.
Community Space
The new Council meeting room will also be used as a community room for local groups and small events. The space will be available on non-Council meeting days for various community-related activities. A mini kitchenette will be included.
Shelter and Generator
The town has applied for funding through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) to cover the cost of a generator for the facility. The application can be found here. In January and February of 2025, the town needed to provide a warming shelter for residents due to town-wide power outages, but it was unable to do so. The shelter component of the new shared town hall is now more critical than ever before due to the town's increasing exposure to more severe and unexpected weather events. It will provide residents with a warm/cool place to gather and stay safe during power outages.
Timeline
The project will take approximately one (1) year to complete. Design and construction drawings are currently underway.
Benefits
Benefits, while not comprehensive, include:
- It will alleviate problems with employee health issues.
- It will be more energy efficient and environmentally sustainable using high-efficiency mechanical and electrical systems.
- It will include much-needed technology upgrades.
- It will benefit existing tenants and surrounding property values.
- It will allow the remaining space in the building to be leased for revenue generation.
- It will allow space for future growth.
Old Town Hall
Health Concerns
The old town hall has historically experienced water intrusion events reportedly associated with failure of the roof system, and has been subsequently patched several times since 2019. Suspect mold growth has been observed within some regions of the interior of the facility, accompanied by odors believed to be associated with mold growth throughout the structure. Occupants have experienced health effects believed to be associated with exposure to mold, including recent illness.
The Franklin County Building Commissioner toured the space, reviewed the Limited Moisture and Microbial Report (see below), and stated his opinion that "the building would be an unsafe working environment."
In January 2020 and November 2023, a professional environmental firm conducted a limited mold and moisture assessment at Boones Mill Town Hall. Ongoing concerns about water intrusion and indoor air quality prompted the inspection. The 2023 report is available below:
Froehling and Robertson - Limited Moisture and Microbial Assessment Report December 8, 2023
Key findings:
- Evidence of water damage and mold growth was found in the dining area closet, attic, crawlspace, and Town Manager’s Office.
- Air quality testing showed no significant mold spore elevations indoors, suggesting localized issues.
- Mold types identified included Stachybotrys, Aspergillus, and Cladosporium—commonly associated with damp environments.
Recommended Actions:
- Remove and replace affected materials and improve ventilation.
- Conduct further evaluations to identify moisture sources.
- Optional post-remediation testing is advised to confirm cleanup success.
The report includes references to the two following documents:
Other issues
Continuous roof deterioration (has already been repaired twice in the last five years and continues to deteriorate and leak)
Deteriorating floor joists
Termite damage
Non-insulated water lines
Lack of a moisture-sealed crawl space
Inefficient and costly HVAC systems
Photos
Instead of spending money to address the constant problems in the old town hall, the Council decided to invest money into the building next door, bringing it up to code, making it a usable space, and marketable for paying tenants.