County Will Move Planning, Building Inspections, GIS and Permitting Departments to Former American Red Cross Building on July 1
SHELBY, NC – Cleveland County announced today that Planning, Building Inspections, GIS and Permitting will move into the former American Red Cross Building (ARC), located at 1333 Fallston Road in Shelby on July 1. The County’s objective is to streamline the permitting process and improve customer service by consolidating these services in the same space.
“Now, we will have a one-stop shop for individuals, contractors and builders who need permits and inspections,” added County Commissioner Ronnie Whetstine.
Cleveland County announced in January that it had purchased the former American Red Cross Building when it came available after the American Red Cross moved their regional office from Shelby to Hickory. However, the ARC will maintain a smaller, co-located presence in the building.
According to County Manager Brian Epley, the tax value of the American Red Cross Building, which was built in 2004, is $1.6 million. The County purchased the 15,000 square foot building for $330,000. Renovation costs to upfit the building to meet the County’s needs are projected to be $300,000. The upfitting costs are partially off-set by a $45,000 grant that the County received for equipment. The total net project cost to the County is budgeted at $585,000, which breaks down to $39 per square foot.
The acquisition of this facility repurposed an existing vacant building and addressed the County’s need for additional space. The County has also moved Emergency Management Services and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to create an Emergency Operations Center.
“Two years ago, Cleveland County developed a facility master plan to examine the long-term space needs of County operations,” said County Commission Chair Susan Allen. “One of the considerations from the plan involved consolidating services in one location to create an emergency operations center that would house Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services and an EMS Training Facility.”
For more information about Cleveland County, please visit www.clevelandcounty.com.
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