ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Buncombe County may soon be getting a new 911 backup center. A $3.8 million project to move the center from the Asheville Municipal Building to 35 Woodfin St. is up for approval when county commissioners meet Tuesday night.
“The backup 911 center will provide additional resiliency for our emergency services and public safety communications and ensures that we will be able to provide our mandated 911 services in the event of a disruption. Additionally, the backup 911 center will serve as a critical resource that will be utilized year-round and allow for the county to train new and existing staff,” Buncombe County Communications Manager Kassi Day said.
According to county documents, the total cost of the project would be $3,814,670.
“In order to fund the budget, $2,412,150 will be reallocated from the existing FY23 Solar on Schools & Public Buildings project budget and $1,402,520 reallocated from the existing FY24 35 Woodfin Renovation for Forward Facing Facility project budget — both projects are anticipated to be able to be completed with the remaining budget after reallocation. No new County funding required. All three projects will be funded by debt proceeds,” county documents said.
The 35 Woodfin renovation is part of the Comprehensive Facilities Plan approved in June 2021. The project has two major components — renovating 35 Woodfin St. to house multiple Buncombe County departments and establishing a new backup 911 center.
According to county documents, General Services received bids for the renovation on July 8 and the backup 911 center on April 16 with Ryse Construction being the lowest responsive responsible bidder on each.
Departments to be located at 35 Woodfin include: Tax Assessment, Tax Collections, Board of Elections, Permits & Inspections, Planning, Air Quality, Environmental Health and the Family Justice Center.
Family Justice Center will maintain its existing footprint with enhanced security measures and an adjoining secure reception area, documents show. Plans are in place so there will be no disruption of service during construction. In an effort to maintain the safety and security of survivors at the Family Justice Center, the construction will include a remodeled lobby with enhanced security measures.
Many of the expenditures for the backup 911 center will qualify for reimbursement from the state, county documents said.
Officials hope to start the projects this month and have them completed by February with a move-in date set for March.
Commissioners meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday at 200 College St., Suite 326 in downtown Asheville.