MANSFIELD — Richland County commissioners Tuesday heard a $1.2 million proposal to upgrade, renovate and relocate aspects of the sheriff’s department — including the 9-1-1 dispatch center, emergency operations center and road patrol — within the Peoples Community Center.
Commissioners took no action on the proposal and scheduled a capital projects budget discussion for June 27 at 1:30 p.m. to discuss it, along with other ongoing capital improvements.
Commissioners said they have about $2.1 million in a capital fund, though said the requests, including building maintenance/improvements and new voting equipment, are approaching $1.9 million.
Commissioners heard from sheriff’s Capt. James Sweat, Sheriff Steve Sheldon and Maj. Joe Masi, along with engineer Alvin Berger of AJB Engineering Consultants of Mansfield, architect Matthew Stanfield of Field9:architecture and Chuck Minich, the county’s maintenance director.
Sweat said the sheriff’s department can cover about $150,000 of the project from 911 funds it receives from the state.
The proposal to remodel and redesign the space would cover about 4,300 square feet and link the three sections of the sheriff’s department, while also allowing room for future expansion if needed.
“Our 9-1-1 center is grossly undersized, to be polite,” Sweat said. “It has served its purpose for the time it has. Having (the three elements) together is imperative for us to do what we do every day,” Sweat said.
The county acquired the 83,790-square-foot former Peoples Hospital from then-Ashland Samaritan in 2002 for just $1, though Minich said the county spent about $1 million in needed improvements in just the first year.
The building is home to multiple organizations and offices.
Minich said the building was constructed in four phases with some sections likely 80-plus years old.
Commissioner Marilyn John said she had visited the current site with Minich and others and had looked at several options.
She said the proposed plan would bring the EOC into the mix and allow it for multi-use for things like a training center/computer lab/command center when not otherwise in use.
Sweat said the department would upgrade its 911 software/hardware as the project takes place.
Sheldon embraced the proposal. “I think it’s nice. I think it will work very nice,” the sheriff said.
Vero asked Sheldon if the sheriff’s department plans to remain at the site long-term if the proposal is approved. The Peoples Community Center offices on Park Avenue East are removed from the county jail operations at the courthouse.
“I think that’s what we have to do. The building is what it is. It was a smart move at the time in 2002 to get the building and it’s served its purpose. I think the county has invested lots of money in that building. I don’t foresee any other way around it.
“It’s been good to us. Ideally, we wish our operations were together. They haven’t been for 17 years and I don’t think they will be together over the next 17 years,” Sheldon said. “I think (this proposal) is cost-effective and it’s the best thing we can do.”
Costs, according to Berger (outside of the 911 upgrade), would include architectural, mechanical (HVAC), plumbing, electrical wiring and data wiring.
John said she often hears members of the community ask if the county can make sure of older structures rather than building new.
“This is certainly an example of that. It’s probably not what any of us would choose if we were going in and starting new,” John said.
“But that’s not what we did. We took a building that I am not sure would still be in existence, and it if were, would probably be falling part if we had not bought it for a dollar and invested the kind of money we did,” she said. “A lot of entities exist in that (building),” John said.
