“That is where we go if we need to talk or plan. The night of the First United Methodist Fire, this place was a madhouse, but we were on it, and we had our equipment ready.” The municipal court has also been moved to the new building, although that was not always the plan. “The municipal courts handle tickets, fees, etc., and we couldn’t leave them over at the old courthouse by themselves,” Baird explained. “They needed to be near or with the police department. We wanted to move them over here, but the space allocated for the office was not a big enough space for two people to operate it successfully. “I reached out to the CJ Coley Courthouse and inquired about moving the municipal court there, but after going round and round with them, it was obvious that they did not want us there. So I got with the clerk of court, the city judge and the police department, and we came over here and figured out how to make it work here,” Baird said. After careful consideration, it was determined that the council chamber could also be used as a courtroom. The payment window that was previously installed upfront near the police station was relocated to the available office space near the elevators on the main floor. “We want these women to be protected,” Baird said. “So we made sure that there was a barrier to do business through. They are collecting money owed, signed warrants, whatever needs to be done, and we did not want the public to have direct access to them. “So now when they have city court, we can use this end of the building, and it will be a quick in and a quick out
for everyone involved. Citizens can go straight down the stairwell or elevator to the courtroom, get adjudicated and then come back up, go by the window, pay their fine or whatever and then they are out of the door. “It made the most sense to just work it out on our own.” Directly across the way, there is a cafeteria that seats up to 200 people indoors and an additional 50 on the balcony. The cafeteria is donned with glass walls and overlooks the hilly terrain of Alexander City. It is yet another scenic place to escape to, during a strenuous workday or a lengthy court case, for a hot cup of coffee or to get a bit of fresh air. The new municipal complex is jam-packed with beautiful and relaxing features, all of which were a part of the original Russell Sales Office. But when Alexander City purchased the 85,000-square foot building, the intention was to house all or most employees within one central location. It just so happens that the scenic views came as a perk. “Everyone loves my office,” Baird said. “I still Massive Renovations need to put my touch on Facing Page Top Left: it, but the floor-to-ceiling The council chamber doubles as the city windows always seem courtroom; Facing Page to wow people. I’m just Bottom Left: Employees fortunate to have a spot and visitors can relax that allows me to bring and enjoy a view while nature into my space like in the cafeteria; Below: this. I also like being able Dispatch is working to see 280.” with state-of-the-art equipment.
Lake Martin Living 35
