CAIRO — City of Cairo officials took another step for a new headquarters for its law enforcement recently. 

The Cairo City Council approved a contract with James W. Buckley & Associates, Inc. for construction of a new building for the Cairo Police Department. 

Gregory Smith, principal and vice president of the architect firm, said the desired location, 3rd Avenue NE and 1st Street NW, would work for constructing a new police department. Smith also noted challenges with drainage and parking at the projected location. 

Douglas said city officials want “the best we can get for the money we put in it for it to last.” 

City councilors, Council member Ernest Cloud said, visited other police departments around the state. 

“We don’t need to copy, but we need to learn what other people have done, good and bad,” Smith said. 

The city received a total of five bids for architectural services. 

Back in March, the Cairo City Council approved a $47,544.32 expenditure of three properties for the future Cairo police headquarters. In July, three additional properties were purchased for a total of $53,648.13. 

Funding for the new Cairo Police Department will come from the city’s approximately $3.5 million payout from the CNS consolidation. 

In other business, the Cairo City Council: 

• Heard delegations from Mayor-elect Booker Gainor and Amanda Peacock, Georgia Department of Economic Development regional tourism project manager. 

• Approved Southwest Georgia Regional Commission appointments. 

• Approved Cairo planning commission appointments. 

• Approved downtown development authority appointments. 

• Approved 2018 calendar for city council meetings. 

• Approved canceling the Dec. 25 city council meeting. 

Reporter Jordan Barela can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1826.