After estimated repair costs exceeded $100,000 for Tryon&squo;s Carrie Lee Massey building, the town is now considering demolishing the building. Town council met last week and heard a report that estimates for renovations to the building adjacent to Rogers Park on West Howard Street have escalated to $120,000. The town had planned to renovate the building to house public restrooms and quarters for firefighters, but structural issues and needed renovations for restrooms to meet code now have council members reconsidering what to do with the building.

Council asked interim town manager Justin Hembree to see whether the hole in the front can be filled and to get quotes on demolishing the building. Town officials said if the building is demolished the site could be used at a later time to build public restrooms less expensively.

Council members said filling the hole next to the building is critical because of safety issues.

Hembree also suggested that the town could look at selling the building. Another issue brought up last week was that if the building is more than 50 years old, which is likely the case, a town ordinance requires public notice be made to try to save the structure before it can be demolished.