Construction of the new Senoia Police Department and Municipal Court complex on Howard Road moved one step closer to reality last week when city council members adopted a resolution to work with Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) to complete the project.

The new $1.3 million complex totaling roughly 8,000 square feet will be situated on approximately three acres on Howard Road near the city’s ballfields. The land was purchased from Southern Mills in 2008 for $232,000. The project is being funded largely through the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST).

The council resolution allows the project to move forward with a funding mechanism through GMA’s Brick and Mortar Program, said city administrator Richard Ferry. Through the program, GMA essentially purchases the property, constructs the building and leases it to the city, Ferry said. Once the building is paid off, GMA signs it back over to the city, he said.

City attorney Drew Whalen told council members the project should close in mid-March and that the architect should have initial plans by early April. The city will hire the contractor for the project, Ferry said Tuesday.

Ferry said final architectural plans should be ready in June with the expectation that ground will be broken this summer.

Whalen also told the council that the current 1-cent SPLOST should raise sufficient funds to pay off the project.

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