On Friday afternoon, in a special called meeting, the La Follette City Council agreed to purchase property located at 313 North Tennessee Avenue.  The property and building are located across from LUB.

During the special called session, Councilmen Bill Archer and Lonnie Wilson both voiced their displeasure about how the property was purchased. Wilson pointed out to Mayor Mike Stanfield that he thought the City was going to wait and bid on the property at auction on Saturday (May 5). But Stanfield requested Councilwoman Ann Thompson contact Auctioneer David Longmire with an offer of $50,000 to purchase the property before the auction.  In-turn, the family accepted the offer, and Stanfield signed the contract to purchase the property that will be used by the La Follette Police Department.

Police Chief Bill Rhoel told council the only items needed at the building will be security cameras and extra fencing behind the building. The building has an office, bathroom and garage space, currently. Rhoel said that the building would need to be cleaned up and maybe a coat of paint on the outside. The building will also fulfill a requirement for the police department to be under the umbrella of the Knoxville Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force which is to be located separately from City Hall.

La Follette Police will be using this building and property on North Tennessee Avenue.

Rhoel said he was excited about the building purchase which will allow the police department to move forward with several goals. Currently there is limited storage at the police department and this purchase will provide additional storage for the department.  Also, the new building will allow for extra storage of impounded vehicles and items that needed to be kept inside out of the weather. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/07/2018-6AM)

Related