DAYTON, Tenn. – Rhea County’s new detention center will be built somewhere other than the site of the present jail, county commissioners decided Thursday night.
Meeting in special session to consider action on the jail, commissioners briefly considered a motion to purchase a 14-acre tract on 16th Avenue next to Richland Park Shopping Center, then voted simply not to build downtown.
Commissioner Ron Masterson offered the motion to buy the property for $400,000, provided it proved suitable for building. His motion included a provision to build a 200-bed facility on the site, with a courtroom suitable for preliminary court proceedings for individuals accused of crime.
But Commissioner Tracy Taylor questioned how much of that property is subject to flooding. County Attorney Carol Barron said almost eight acres are not in flood zones.
Commissioner Emmaly Fisher, who represents the district in which the property lies, questioned architect David Brown about proposed access to the site. Before he could answer, Commissioner Grover Parks said, “I’m not sure I’m ready to vote tonight to purchase property. I’m ready to vote to go off site” from downtown Dayton.