MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCSC) — Moncks Corner leaders say a lack of space in key government buildings has reached a breaking point, and now the town is moving forward with a $1 million plan to expand and modernize its facilities.
The current town hall is more than 30 years old and houses several departments under one roof, including town administration, public works, public water services, police and the municipal court. Moncks Corner Police Chief Lee Mixon says those services have simply outgrown the space.
“This town hall’s 30 years old,” Mixon said. “This building you see right behind us houses several organizations, so right now we are all crammed inside this small building.”
Just steps away from the town hall, one of the two fire stations in Moncks Corner is facing similar challenges. Female firefighters have had to relocate to secure gendered sleeping quarters, and more than 50 staff members move between the buildings each day, sharing limited space and aging infrastructure.
Mayor Thomas Hamilton says the town plans to expand the existing town hall into a dedicated municipal court and police home station. Fire Station One will also see modernization upgrades aimed at improving safety and efficiency.
“We’re gonna do an expansion of the current town hall, and then the Fire Station One, we’re going to modernize,” Hamilton said.
The investment will create more room for the police department, provide updated sleeping quarters at the fire station, and add a dedicated training facility for first responders.
Fire Chief James Jackson says the lack of space affects the department’s ability to store essential equipment, including water rescue tools, ladder trucks and other apparatus.
Officials say the space limitations extend beyond storage. Police are currently using the courtroom as a common area, firefighters use office space for training, and town staff often sit two people to a desk. With the town council approving the renovation plan, leaders hope those challenges will soon be resolved.
Mixon says the expansion will also allow the police department to offer services it currently can’t support due to space limitations, such as fingerprinting and social work programs for opioid abuse.
“As the town grows, local government needs more space,” Mixon said, noting the need for better ventilation, storage and room for essential public services.
The town is now preparing to move forward with the next steps in the project, including hiring a contractor.
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