Recently, the Town of Drakes Branch presented preliminary plans outlining the possibility of what a new joint Fire Station and Municipal Building in the town could look like.

The building included two floors, and adequate space for meetings, bunk rooms and space for private functions to be held if desired.

While no specific costs have been nailed down on what a building of this size would cost, the building will house several important features of the town including the fire department, town clerk’s office, voting precinct and police station to name a few.

Drakes Branch Town Council Member Noah Davis said he did not want the citizens to think of it as the fire department’s building or the town offices, but a building for their use.

“We have an upstairs we’re going to have to find something to do with, and we’re going to have a big space downstairs,” he said.

However, he said the upstairs portion of the building would come later. “I want the citizens of Drakes Branch to think of the building as theirs to use,” said Davis.

I applaud the Town of Drakes Branch for being proactive in their community-building efforts and looking ahead to potentially secure a building with multiple uses that will be available to the public.

The new building could potentially become a hub in the Town of Drakes Branch for anything from exercise classes, wedding receptions, reunions or birthday parties.

Additionally, renting out a designated space in the building could serve as an extra income stream for the town. The new building may also accommodate larger crowds during annual events such as the Christmas Open House held by the town each year at the current municipal building.

I hope the Town of Drakes Branch can soon nail down some costs and finalize plans for an appropriate building to meet the needs of the citizens and those who serve in the Town of Drakes Branch.

Italia Gregory is community editor of The Gazette. Her email address is Italia.Gregory@ TheCharlotteGazette. com.