BRISTOL -- The Bristol Town Council would like to give the police department more room and update the town hall, if a way can be found to fund it.

J.A. Wagner Construction recently showed the council a plan for a 6,500-square-foot addition onto the town hall.

The proposal turns the existing police station into town offices, giving the clerk's office street-level entry.

The addition includes areas for police interviews, a larger evidence room, space for archives and a public meeting room for town council or other meetings. It continues elements of the existing building's architecture. The old fire station would be torn down for parking.

"It would bring us into the 21st century, look nice and last 40 or 50 years," said Marshal Michael Swallow.

"The main issue, before anything can be built, is how to pay for it," said Town Attorney Glenn Duncan.

Duncan told the council the $900,000 estimated cost of the project could be funded through a 15-to-20-year municipal lease buy-back program.

"The goal is to not use tax dollars for it," said Swallow.

One possible funding source might be revenues from Raber Golf Course. Since the town just built a new golf clubhouse, the golf course shouldn't need a great deal of money for several years. Future TIF revenues and fundraisers through the Bristol Marshal's Posse were other ideas.

The council previously looked at renovating the old fire station for the police department but rejected the proposal because it didn't solve the fuel efficiency problems of the old fire station or help the town hall.

"We will come back to the council with a more definite plan and ask for approval to start working on the funding," said Swallow. "Nothing has been authorized yet."