Construction begins Monday for new sheriff's building

With silver-tipped shovels in hand, Carson City leaders opened a new chapter in local law enforcement Friday, tossing dirt in the spot where the Sheriff's Department's multimillion dollar facility will be built.

On Friday, the sheriff could barely contain his glee in knowing that the facility will be built. He said he had hounded city officials for two years before the project was finally approved.

Mayor Marv Teixeira, who boasted no taxes were raised for the estimated $12 million project, said jokingly he wasn't sure where the money would come from.

"One of the first phone calls I got when I announced my run for mayor was from Furlong," said Teixeira. "He called me and said, 'Are you gonna support me getting a new building?'"

Built in 1966, the current building was state-of-the-art for a town of about 13,000 people.

Over the years, changes were made to the structure as the city grew. The maintenance shop was remodeled to house dispatch. Cell Block G was added onto the jail. A firing range in the basement was closed due to poor ventilation, and the forensic unit moved in there. When dispatch got a new building to share with fire dispatchers, the records division moved into the remodeled garage. The jail moved to a new location and the cell blocks were renovated for patrol briefings.

In the end, the truth of the ramshackle building's uselessness became evident when mold was discovered, and 60 percent of the building was condemned, Furlong said.

He listed the improvements the new two-story building at 900 E. Musser St. would have, at the same time apologizing for the construction inconvenience neighbors will have to endure.

"Over 40,000 feet - a forensic lab and evidence vault, a patrol division and detective division, civil, records and business offices, traffic and auxiliary unit offices, the coroner's office and of course the administrative and systems offices.

"And foremost, both open and private areas to receive our most valued customers, the public."

Construction will begin Monday and is scheduled for completion in early summer 2007.

• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.