According to a news release from Lewis County, the next steps are underway for a sheriff’s office substation in East Lewis County.
Steve Wohld, chief of internal services for the county, said on Wednesday afternoon that a few days ago, the project was just an idea. Following approval from the commissioners earlier this week, it became a bidable project.
According to Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza, the optimal construction timeline would have the building open by the summer of 2023.
Wohld estimated the entirety of the work to establish the substation, including the building, septic, paving and more, would cost under $750,000. The county plans to use outside funding, likely federal, to get it up and running, he said.
The substation will be built at 8901 U.S. Highway 12, between Glenoma and Randle, on property already owned by Public Works on Kiona Road. According to the release, plans are to construct a 36-by-48-foot office and three- or four-door vehicle storage facility.
Snaza said the shop would allow the office to house boats and trucks necessary for flood rescues on the east end while giving residents access to services they’d previously have to drive to Chehalis to receive.
He added it will have a kitchenette, bathroom, space for staff to sleep and a large office space.
“Now they can go there instead of driving all the way to Chehalis,” Snaza said. “Starting out, (we’ll open it) two days a week and if we find out it’s really busy, then we will think about staffing it full-time. … We’re really looking forward to it, I just wish it would have happened sooner.”
The substation became a hot topic during the election season — perhaps spurring movement on the project — as Snaza has been challenged by Tracy Murphy, a detective sergeant for the Centralia Police Department. The incumbent led in the early count of ballots from Tuesday night. Updated counts will continue to be published at chronline.com.
