In Jan. 24-30, 2008 issue
By Greg Wells
Times Journal Managing Editor

RUSSELL SPRINGS - An offer by the City of Jamestown to purchase the Monin building there — also known as the Jamestown Clinic — was accepted by the Russell County Hospital's board of directors.

The $150,000 asking price was what the city offered, Board Chairman Jeff Hubbard said.

He said the hospital will bring in about $145,000 from that sale. Previously the board had established that the proceeds from the sale would be used to pay on the hospital's outstanding bank loans.

Jamestown Mayor Brooks Bates said Tuesday that the city had offered the hospital board $150,000 for the Monin building as a site in which to relocate city hall.

He explained that the move was not assured, as the purchase would have to be approved at a special meeting of the city council Jan. 24th
Bates said that, assuming the council agrees, the city has 90 days until closing to line up financing for the deal.

"I've talked with the USRDA already," Brooks said. He added that he wasn't sure if there was enough time though to apply for those rural development funds through the Department of Agriculture.

The mayor said he was sure that the city could secure a short term loan through one of the banks in the county.

The city has been told to expect to lose city hall and the lot adjacent to it. The site will be used in the construction of the new Russell County Justice Center, which will house all the courts-at-law as well as the Circuit Clerk's offices.

The proceeds from that deal are expected, Brooks indicated, to be sufficient to pay for the new building and hopefully any moving or remodeling expenses.