The transformation of the new Mitchell County Law Enforcement Center in Bakersville is progressing smoothly, with recent developments marking significant strides in the renovation process.
Construction crews are actively engaged in the former Quality Plus Apparel Building on Baker Lane, laying the groundwork for the center’s modern infrastructure.
Key installations currently underway include new plumbing and electrical systems, foundational elements that will support the building’s functionality.
The $5 million projected was funded through a grant from the state.
County Manager Allen Cook said last weeks weather would not slow down construction. “It should be done by the end of September, hopefully a little earlier,” said Cook. “The weather did not impact the time schedule. The roads have been good enough to get things done, so far so good.”
In the coming phase of renovations, the focus will shift to structural modifications. The installation of walls and sheet rock is on the horizon, signaling a move towards the more visible aspects of the building’s transformation.
The new law enforcement center features accommodations for a staff of 25, an evidence processing facility as well as improved evidence storage, interview rooms, detective offices, and conference and training rooms.
“We will have an indoor evidence processing bay,” said Cook. “In the past law enforcement would have to do processing and forensics outdoors, so processing a vehicle it could take around two hours of documenting outside in the freezing cold. Now they can bring that indoors and it’s heated.”
The sheriff’s department has been working in ‘temporary offices,’ since the jail was destroyed by a fire 21 years ago. This project represents a significant upgrade in facilities for law enforcement in the county.
“Generally speaking, we’ll have a whole new set of tech, camera monitor for the facility, kennels for the K9s... all built in to the facility,” said Cook. The new facility is also designed for efficiency adding temporary holding cells that allow officers to process inmates in a more timely manner.