Construction to begin on new sheriff's building next week

Work is set to begin on the new Carson City Sheriff's Department Administration Building on Friday morning.

"We're ready to roll," said Sheriff Kenny Furlong of the project, which has been discussed since the late 1980s. "It's pretty exciting."

The Board of Supervisors will be asked Thursday to approve the 31 bids for work on the nearly $9.33 million project, which includes an additional contingency budget of $513,000.

The building will be on the southeast corner of Harbin Avenue and East Musser Street. At about 40,400 square feet, it should allow the department enough growth space for 20 years, Furlong said.

An estimated 100 people work for the sheriff's department now.

Among amenities will be private space for victims to report crimes to deputies and a community meeting room.

Metcalf Builders, Inc. is the construction management firm.

The current building, at 901 E. Musser St., built in the mid-1960s, will be demolished and used for parking once the new building is completed next year. It's expected to be completed 12 months after its groundbreaking.

Initially, "we thought we should come in under budget and on time, but prices do vary, and you don't want quality to suffer for being on time," Furlong said.

Nearby outbuildings already have been demolished to make way for the project.

Employees who handle records and patrol officers have moved to a building on Butti Way at the Corporate Yard, but will be included in the new building once its completed.

The jail will remain at the courthouse.

Furlong said the current administration building is about 30,000 square feet, but more than half of it is unusable because it used to serve as the city jail.

Bonds issued with reserve funds and existing property taxes will pay for the new building.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.

If you go

What: Carson City Board of Supervisors meeting

When: 8:30 a.m. Thursday

Where: Sierra Room, Community Center, 851 E. William St.

What: Ground breaking of new Sheriff's Department Administration Building

When: 9 a.m. Friday

Where: Southeast corner of Harbin Avenue and East Musser Street