The new law enforcement center and jail facility for the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office continues to take shape.

Sheriff Marty Arganbright tells Raccoon Valley Radio a lot of work has happened since the groundbreaking ceremony this past October. He says the new 16,000 square-foot facility is located on the northwest corner of the courthouse, with some of the concrete walls poured and erected, along with starting to lay the exterior brick. Arganbright describes what will be located inside the building.

“So it’s going to be a law enforcement center with dispatch center in the middle of it, with bed availability for the jail will be 28-32 inmates, which we desperately need. Also, we’ll have offices for the deputies (and) there’ll be an office for the civil clerk. (It will be) A lot safer facility than what we’re in too.”

Arganbright notes another benefit is having the new facility above ground, whereas they are currently in the basement of the courthouse, which was built in 1963 and is not to state code. He adds that the project is about 2-3 weeks behind their 14-month schedule. Arganbright is hopeful that the project will be completed by the end of the year.