The old Limestone County Jail on Green Street may not be demolished after all. Instead, it could be converted into an area tourist attraction.

That was the word from Limestone County Commission Chairman David Seibert Wednesday. He said he has been having second thoughts about the future of the old jail, especially considering the $100,000 the Athens Police Reserves raised in 10 nights last month using the facility as the “Cells of Terror.”

Athens Police Sgt. Jason White said 12,000 people toured the facility the 10 nights leading up to Halloween. White called the fund-raiser an outstanding success.

“It was a good fund-raiser for them and we were happy to let them use the old jail free of charge for that purpose,” said Seibert. “It’s just an idea, but the success they had shows people are interested in that facility. We could hire someone to run it and turn it into a tourist attraction. It has a lot of history behind it.”

White said the money raised from the “Cells of Terror” goes to the Police Department to purchase dress uniforms and shotguns for the department’s honor guard, equipment for the police reserves including bullet-proof vests and other equipment for the department.

The idea to use the jail for a haunted house was White’s. It was sponsored by the police reserves and honor guard. White said the county has already told him he could use the facility again next year for that same purpose if it is still standing.

Seibert said the county is awaiting word from architects about the costs involved in making the facility handicap accessible for possible use by the board of education which has offices next door. The county has also discussed either demolishing the old building or selling it. Seibert said commissioners have been told it could cost the county $100,000 to tear it down.

White said the $100,000 raised from the Cells of Terror will help out the police reserves who have to pay for some of their equipment. He said 10 more reserve officers are needed by the department.

People interested may apply at the Athens Police Department or go on line at apdreserves.org and download an application and mail it to White at the police department.