NEWBERRY — The plans for the new sheriff’s office will proceed to the next design phase.

The Newberry County Council Public Safety and Courts Committee approved the floor plan for turning the current Piedmont Tech on Wilson Road into the new sheriff’s office,

By mid-November the architects will have 50 percent of the engineering work done for the 19,876 square foot facility.

There will be an additional 390 square foot building to the rear of the current facility to house the emergency communications office which will be built at a higher level to withstand hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes.

Also a portion on the south end of the building will not be renovated and used for future needs.

The auditorium of the building will remain as it is and can still be used for public meetings.

The work to transform the building from a school to a sheriff’s office complex will start as soon as Piedmont Tech moves to its new home in the former Wal-Mart on Wilson Road.

The move for the sheriff’s office comes after the department was moved from its new building due to mold and moisture issues. For about six years the sheriff’s headquarters has been housed in modular units next to the current Piedmont Tech.

Sheriff Lee Foster says the new design has fit his departments needs into the building with little demolition and the use of existing fixtures.

He adds the design was done by locals who are profession and also are taxpayers.