Stephanie Klein-Davis | The Roanoke Times

Three Rocky Mount buildings — the Virgil H. Goode Building, the administration offices building and the courthouse — have long housed government offices.

Thompson & Litton

Rendering of the new Franklin County government center

ROCKY MOUNT -- Franklin County has long housed almost all of its government within a few hundred feet -- using a cozy trio of well-established downtown buildings to handle the public's business.

But in a sign of the change that's come to the tradition-rich and still predominately rural county, a decision was made that its government had outgrown its downtown space. And the county is preparing for a $7.3 million move into a gutted and renovated former Winn-Dixie grocery store on Franklin Street just inside the western town limits.

It has been almost four decades since new office space has been built for county departments, County Administrator Rick Huff said. And that comes as the county is building Windy Gap Elementary, the first new school the county has built over the same time frame.

Franklin County has long been known for its endearing traditions, including its frugality.

And anytime the county spends big money, there are questions -- especially in a down economy.

But the project is under way.

"I believe the completed facility will be very cost-effective while meeting identified needs and offering improved services to residents for decades to come," Blue Ridge District Supervisor Bobby Thompson said.

While the sluggish economy has hurt many in the region, it provided a benefit for the county's project.

"It's a good bid climate to do this type of work," Finance Director Vincent Copenhaver said. The county received nine bids, most of which came in with estimates below expectations.

The board of supervisors hired Frith Construction out of Martinsville to modify the former Winn-Dixie building for about $5.7 million.

The building sits on 17 acres of land -- purchased for $1.6 million in 2006 -- and offers more parking spots, a central location and more office and storage space.

Currently, half a dozen county offices are located in different buildings around Rocky Mount.

The Virgil H. Goode Building on East Court Street was built in 1968 and houses the human resources and finance offices.

Down the street, the county's Planning and Community Development Department operates in the former library, which provides about 9,600 square feet of space.

The county treasurer and commissioner of the revenue have offices in the county courthouse. The county administrator's office is in a small brick building in between the courthouse and the Goode building.

In the new building all departments will be consolidated over 50,000 square feet.

"The county has not built any significant office space since the mid-1960s," Huff said. "As the county has grown, the offices have grown, and there is a concern for greater security in the courthouse."

Moving county offices out of the courthouse will allow the closure of some of the entrances for security purposes, he said.

The board did discuss simply expanding its existing space, but that would have been difficult to provide for future growth, Huff said.

Vacated downtown buildings will not go unused once the move is made.

The sheriff's department has long had an interest in opening up space in the Goode building for interrogation rooms, lineup areas and evidence and armory storage.

The move to consolidate county offices has occurred throughout the region, said Jack Murphy, project manager with Thompson & Litton, an engineers and architecture company.

Like in Franklin County, moving offices out of the county courthouse is one reason Montgomery County turned the former Heath-Tex factory on Roanoke Street in Christiansburg into a government center.

"The concept started about 10 years ago in the Roanoke region," Murphy said. "I think we'll start seeing more of it."

To finance the project, Franklin County officials borrowed $4.25 million in December 2007. The rest will come from the county's reserve fund over the next two fiscal years.

Though plans are moving forward, there are a couple of supervisors who aren't sure if now is the time to spend so much money.

Gills Creek District Supervisor Russ Johnson voted against financing for the project in December 2007, wanting to borrow more money for the project instead of taking money from the county's reserve fund.

"I see us having difficult financial times ahead," he said. "Having cash [in the reserve fund] would be a much better position to be in when times get tough."

Johnson said he was also against taking county offices out of the downtown area. In early discussions, Johnson suggested that they demolish the old library and build a three-story office building in its place.

"There's a historic tradition that I didn't think needed to be broken," he said.

Union Hall District Supervisor Bobby Cundiff also voiced concern about the project.

"I just don't feel comfortable doing this when there are families losing their jobs," he said.

Murphy pointed out that the project will serve as an economic stimulus of some sort, because local contractors are working on the project.

The supervisors have worked to make the project as cost-effective as possible.

Savings came from a decision to add another roof over the existing roof instead of removing and building a new one, Huff said. Other changes include different light fixtures and finishes in the bathroom.

"It's nothing that compromises the quality of the building," Blackwater District Supervisor Wayne Angell said.

A move-in date is scheduled for next winter.