The Southern Pines Town Council debated priorities on big-ticket capital improvements such as a proposed 140 million-gallon raw water reservoir, a new police and municipal building and a proposed aquatics facility at a Monday work session.

Council members continued planning work on a new police and municipal meeting complex -- which will require the council to borrow money -- and a new reservoir at an estimated cost of $3.7 million, as an insurance policy against future serious droughts.

The council dropped consideration of a new $2-3 million new aquatic facility, which a citizens' task force had recommended.

The facility would have been constructed on town-owned property at the Morganton Road/Henley Street intersection in clear view of the traveling public on Morganton.

A survey conducted of Southern Pines residents favored a new facility but didn't want to raise taxes to pay for it.

The council also dropped the idea of proceeding immediately with a major pool park facility.

Demolition work began last week on razing the old police/municipal complex in downtown Southern Pines.

Tuesday, the council asked Charlotte architectural firm HSMM to prepare three options on exterior architectural design of the proposed new complex at East New York and South East Broad streets.

Members agreed to set a public input session on the complex. The town will hold an event sometime in November or early December, they agreed.

Check Friday's Pilot and ThePilot.com for full coverage from the meeting.