Macon County’s first move after buying a canary-colored bright yellow building in downtown Franklin will be to paint it, probably an inoffensive brown, Commissioner Kevin Corbin said.

The building, appraised in value for more than $700,000 was purchased for about $300,000. It is located on the corner of Palmer and Patton streets.

United Community Bank ended up with the 10,000-square-foot building as the result of foreclosure proceedings.

“They were willing to make a good deal on it to get it off their books,” Corbin said this week. “Less than 50 cents on the dollar, and we had the available funds.”

The money will come from savings.

Initially, the plan is to house sheriff’s department detectives in the downtown property. They are currently working out of rented space, Corbin said. The county will be able to save on rent money and come out ahead in the long run.

There will still be space left over, but the county has not yet figured out what else it might put in the building.

There will be some wiring and other work needed to finish the building. The building is located next to the Macon County Emergency Medical Services building.

— By Quintin Ellison