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IssueTallulah Fallsunder consideration

Tallulah Falls' Rock House renovation into police offices stalls over septic system problem

The town council approved turning the Rock House into police offices and public meeting space, but the project is now delayed because the building's septic system must be relocated or an easement obtained from the state park.

By NEGA Brief NewsroomLast checked September 30, 2026
Latest

May 27, 2026: Rock House renovation project septic delay

What happens next

No next step has been documented.

At a glance

What this means now

Where it stands

On December 11, 2025, the council voted unanimously to move forward with the project, with a budget figure of $500,000 recorded. By May 27, 2026, minutes reported preliminary plans complete but the project delayed because the existing septic system cannot be used and must either be relocated to the parking area or covered by an easement from the state park.

The story

The town budgeted $250,000 under a law enforcement and public safety initiative to renovate the Rock House for law enforcement offices and public safety meeting space.

SourcesTallulah Falls Budgets - 2026 Budget - 2026 Budget Final.pdfTallulah Falls Budgets - 2025 Budget - 2025 Budget.pdf

On December 12, 2024, the town council tabled a letter of intent for the project by unanimous vote.

SourcesTallulah Falls Agendas - 01.16.25 RM Agenda Packet - 01.16.25 RM Agenda Packet.pdf

On February 13, 2025, the council unanimously approved the letter of intent and authorized the mayor to sign it with Blake Rainwater & Associates, letting the firm proceed with design and construction documents to redevelop the Rock House as a new police department with a training/community room. Plans called for the police department upstairs and public meeting/training space downstairs.

SourcesTallulah Falls Minutes - 02.13.25 PH Minutes - 02.13.25 PH Minutes.docxTallulah Falls Agendas - 03.13.25 RM Agenda Packet - 03.13.25 RM Agenda Packet.pdfTallulah Falls Agendas - 02.13.25 RM Agenda Packet - 02.13.25 RM Agenda Packet.pdf

Through the year the council reviewed a draft design contract from Rainwater and Associates, approved an $18,500 design contract in May 2025, and in September 2025 approved storage enclosure design options for the building's lower and upper levels.

SourcesTallulah Falls Agendas - 05.15.25 RM Agenda Packet - 05.15.25 RM Agenda Packet.pdfTallulah Falls Agendas - 06.12.25 RM Agenda Packet - 06.12.25 RM Agenda Packet.pdfTallulah Falls Agendas - 10.09.25 Agenda Packet - 20251009173742.pdfTallulah Falls Minutes - 09.11.25 RM Minutes - 09.11.25 RM Minutes.docx

On December 11, 2025, the council voted unanimously to move forward with the project, with a budget figure of $500,000 recorded. By May 27, 2026, minutes reported preliminary plans complete but the project delayed because the existing septic system cannot be used and must either be relocated to the parking area or covered by an easement from the state park.

SourcesTallulah Falls Minutes - 12.11.25 RM Minutes - 12.11.25 RM Minutes.docxTallulah Falls Agendas - 01.08.26 RM Agenda Packet - 20260108151310.pdfTallulah Falls Agendas - 06.11.26 RM Agenda Packet - 06.11.26 RM Agenda Packet.pdfTallulah Falls Minutes - 05.27.26 BWS Minutes - 05.27.26 BWS Minutes.docx

What happened

How this issue got here

Open any step for its supporting record. A proposal remains labeled as proposed until later evidence establishes an outcome.

Appeared on agenda
proposed

Blake Rainwater & Associates contract for Rock House Renovation Design Development

Blake Rainwater & Associates Contract for the Rock House Renovation Design Development

Appeared on agenda
proposed

Contract with Blake Rainwater & Associates for Rock House Renovation design development

Blake Rainwater & Associates Contract for the Rock House Renovation Design Development

Appeared on agenda
proposed

Rock House renovation for law enforcement offices and public safety meeting space

LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY INITIATIVE - Renovate Rock House for Law Enforcement Offices and Public Safety Meeting Space

Approved
unknown

Contract for Rock House renovation design for law enforcement/public safety

A motion to approve the contract was made by Councilperson Augustine and seconded by Councilperson Weatherly. Motion passed unanimously.

Approved
confirmed

Contract for Rock House renovation design for law enforcement/public safety facility

A motion to approve the contract was made by Councilperson Augustine and seconded by Councilperson Weatherly. Motion passed unanimously.

Discussed
discussed

Rock House Renovation design contract with Blake Rainwater, Rainwater and Associates

A rough draft of a contract from Blake Rainwater, Rainwater and Associates, is under review.

Discussed
discussed

Rock House renovation project and draft contract with Rainwater and Associates

A rough draft of a contract from Blake Rainwater, Rainwater and Associates, is under review.

Approved
confirmed

Letter of intent with Blake Rainwater and Associates for the Rock House project

The council approves the letter of intent, with a motion made and seconded, passing unanimously.

Appeared on agenda
proposed

Letter of Intent with Blake Rainwater & Associates

Letter of Intent – Blake Rainwater & Associates

Discussed
discussed

Rock House future use plans (police department, public meeting space, restrooms)

The Rock House will be used by the Police Department upstairs, with public meeting/training space downstairs.

Approved
unknown

Rock House design-build Letter of Intent with Blake Rainwater and Associates

A motion is made by Councilperson Augustine to authorize the Mayor to sign the Letter of Intent and it is seconded by Councilperson Urpschot.

Appeared on agenda
proposed

Letter of Intent with Blake Rainwater & Associates

Letter of Intent — Blake Rainwater & Associates

Appeared on agenda
proposed

Letter of intent authorizing Blake Rainwater & Associates to proceed with design/construction documents for Rock House redevelopment as new police department and training/community room

This letter authorizes Blake Rainwater & Associates to proceed with the development of the Design/Construction Documents

Tabled
unknown

Letter of Intent for Rock House renovation

A motion to table the LOI was made by Councilperson Franklin. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Augustine and unanimously approved.

Appeared on agenda
proposed

Rock House renovation for law enforcement offices and public safety meeting space

LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY INITIATIVE - Renovate Rock House for Law Enforcement Offices and Public Safety Meeting Space

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