NORWICH – Some new ideas bounced around Tuesday at a meeting of the county’s Buildings and Grounds Committee included converting the old jail on West Park Place into a central intake facility for public services or subdividing it into both public and private use office space.

The standing committee met with representatives of John Snyder Architects of Ithaca to discuss the possibilities. The firm was hired last month at a $7,475 fee to complete design concepts and drawings for four possible uses and to provide cost estimates for two of them.

Town of Pharsalia Supervisor Dennis Brown outlined the committee’s options, including selling the building, giving it away, converting it into office and/or storage space or tearing it down. He said he would prefer not to demolish it due to its historic significance. The old jail and Sheriff’s Office are within an historical district in the City of Norwich, but are not listed on the historic register.