Introducing Macon County’s New Administrative Building

The newly constructed Macon County Administrative Building, located at 201 Nature Trail Way, Lafayette, Tennessee. Photo by M. Green

By Misty Green

It was announced in a public meeting back in 2023 that USDA financing of $4.5 million dollars had been secured for the construction of a new Administrative Building, after Macon County law makers realized that the current courthouse had outgrown the Public Square and with all of the elected officials that are in the courthouse, the traffic around the Square is making it much more difficult for people to access it, and with most of the county offices running out of space, Commissioners unanimously voted to build a new Administrative Building.

Fast forward to 2025

The very first gathering of 2025 for Macon County Tennessee law makers took place in the newly constructed $4.5 million dollar Administrative Building on Monday, January 6th.

Pulling on to Nature Trail Way from Hwy. 52 By Pass, you will drive on to a quite wide, yet still gravel road, a controversial issue discussed among commissioners in several meetings past about the need to go ahead and pave the road of Nature Trail Way to help prevent gravel dusting to the new Administrative Building, yet the fear of damage from the heavy equipment vehicles needed for the construction of the new health department on Nature Trail Way, slated to be bid out soon, halted the vote. According to District 1 Commissioner Phillip Snow, the paving will most likely be done when the weather is good.

The new Administrative Building has plenty of spaces for parking and is very well-lit at night. Two drive-thru windows have been installed at each end of the billing, with the Trustee’s office to the right and the County Clerk’s office to the left, so that citizens can conduct business from the comfort of their vehicle. Macon County Mayor Steve Jones said that they are going to be adding signs outside very soon for easier navigation of the drive-thru options.

Citizens who desire to come inside for business can enter the building through a choice of three double glass doors in the front-middle section. Once inside, you will immediately see two sets of wood double doors, which is where the Legislative Body Meetings will be held. To the right of those doors is the men’s restroom and to the left of those doors is the women’s restroom. Inside the Legislative Meeting room are tables and chairs, and there are still some finishing touches needing to be completed, such as the sound system, and electrical outlet coverings on the floor. Connected to the Meeting room is a break room with a fully furnished kitchen. To the right side of the building, one can locate the Property Assessors office and Trustees office and to the left of the building, one can find the County Clerk’s office and the Register of Deeds office. A Macon Bank & Trust ATM is located in the front lobby. A sensor activated water fountain has also been installed inside the building.

It was discussed in a previous meeting that the new building would include a push button voting system to eliminate verbal votes, however Macon County Mayor Steve Jones shared that it was decided against that change because it was going to cost an extra $160,000.00.

According to Mayor Jones, on Monday, January 13, 2025, the new Administrative Building will be open for business. As for the old County Courthouse on the Square, Mayor Jones shared that Macon County Commissioners do not have any intent of doing away with it, and the intent is for it to be maintained and used for archive storage and to keep the historical value of Macon County.