Called Walton BOC meeting on repurpose of old jail building Aug. 25

Community invited to weigh in on old jail building and Parks and Recreation updates

If you’re one of the many people in Walton County who has wondered what will happen to the old jail building on S. Madison Ave., you now have an opportunity to learn more about the proposals being considered—and weigh in on the options.

The Walton County Board of Commissioners will hold a called work session on Aug. 25 to consider proposals for the future of the building. According to a social media post, commissioners also want to hear from the community on the topic. The meeting will also include an opportunity for community input on Parks and Recreation projects.

The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, with two major topics up for discussion:

5:30 p.m. — Parks & Recreation updates and community input

6:30 p.m. — Potential renovation of the old jail site at 1425 S. Madison Ave.

The meeting will take place at the Walton County Historic Courthouse, located at 111 S. Broad St. in downtown Monroe.

The public is invited to attend, join the conversation, stay informed and help shape the future of these community spaces.

One suggestion shared by Walton County Chairman David Thompson at the August TRIAD meeting in Loganville was to repurpose part of the old jail for government offices. Another possibility discussed was using a portion of the facility for “weekenders”—inmates who have been sentenced to serve weekend work detail rather than full-time incarceration.

Some residents on social media have also suggested using part of the building to expand Walton County Animal Control and provide additional shelter space, with the goal of reducing euthanasia.

What do you think should be done with the old jail building?