Loris public safety building nears completion

The walls are up, windows installed and the painting and finishing touches have begun at the new public safety building in Loris.

City Council and staffers will get a construction update from the architect and contractors Monday during the regular City Council meeting, said Loris Mayor David Stoudenmire.

“Things are running extremely smooth. The whole process has been better than we could ever dream. We’re on schedule. We’re on budget,” Stoudenmire said. “They’re working as hard as they can. We’ve been extremely pleased with architect firm, contractor and subs they’ve done remarkable. We’ve been very, very pleased with how they’ve handled it.”

Officials broke ground on June 21 on the new $2.1 million public safety building, which is expected to be completed and open by March, said Loris Police Chief Joseph Vaught. The building will house the city’s police and fire departments, creating the city’s first public safety building.

Officials plan to host a grand opening ceremony and open the building to the public once it is completed.

It will replace the current police department building, which was dedicated in 1963 and originally was an annex of the city’s jail, and the fire building. The current building will be torn down and the space will be used for parking at the new facility, Stoudenmire said.

The project is being funded by community block grants from the Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments and Horry County in the amounts of $1 million and $68,000, respectively, according to city officials. Additional funding is coming from a $1.1 million loan from USDA Rural Development.

City officials contracted with Tych & Walker Architects, LLP, for architectural services, and Coastal Structures Corporation will do the general contract work.

The facility will allow more space for storage for police and fire, as well as a meeting room for training and community events, Stoudenmire said.