JOHNSTON COUNTY – Johnston County’s population increased 32 percent between 2010 and 2021. In the next 20 years, the population is expected to grow another 43 percent to more than 322,000 residents.
Those findings, in a Growth Needs Study Report, indicate the need for more office space for Johnston County Government employees to maintain services brought on by substantial growth.
Representatives with Mosely Architects presented findings from the Space Needs Study to County Commissioners during their May 16 meeting.
Johnston County Government currently occupied about 240,800 gross square feet (GSF) of building space to serve Department’s reviewed in the study. They include County Administration, Animal Services, Buildings & Grounds, Child Support, Clerk to the Board, Board of Commissioners, Department of Social Services, Elections, Finance, GIS, HAPP, Health Department, Heritage Center, Inspections, Technology Services, Human Resources, Legal, Parks & Greenways, Planning, Public Information Office, Public Utilities, Register of Deeds, Tax Administration, and the Veteran’s Office.
Based on the current staff level and functions provided, Johnston County currently needs 340,000 GSF. Moving forward, the report said the county will need 369,000 GSF in 2026, 387,000 GSF in 2031, and 389,000 GSF in 2041. That is approximately 61 percent more office space than the county current now has.
The last comprehensive space needs analysis was conducted in 2008. In the past 14 years, the report said the county has seen dramatic growth with the size and complexity of the county’s operations growing substantially during the period.
Plan Options
The study recommended two options to accommodate additional space needs by county government staff.
Option 1
Phase A
Construct a new Department of Social Services Building
- vacate existing county owned DSS buildings 1, 2 and 3
- vacate existing leased DSS building 4
Construct a new Buildings & Grounds and Emergency Services Warehouse
- vacate the existing Buildings & Grounds Warehouse and convert to courthouse parking
- vacate existing leased storage space
Phase B
Renovate DSS Buildings 1, 2, and 3 to house various administrative functions
- vacate portions of administrative space in the existing Courthouse Annex
- vacate existing leased property near the existing Courthouse
Phase C
Renovate existing space in the Courthouse Annex to expand Register of Deeds and Tax Administration
Option 1 would cost $99,534.450 according to the report and includes the building, site construction and furnishings. It does not include the cost of any land.
Option 2
Phase A
Construct a new Department of Social Services Building
- vacate existing county owned DSS buildings 1, 2, and 3 and sell the property
- vacate existing leased DSS building 4
Construct a new Buildings & Grounds and Emergency Services Warehouse
- vacate the existing Buildings & Grounds Warehouse and convert to courthouse parking
- vacate existing leased storage space
Construct a new Administrative Building on the same site as the Department of Social Services building
- vacate portions of administrative space in the existing Courthouse Annex
- vacate existing leased property near the existing Courthouse
Phase B
Renovate existing space in the Courthouse Annex to expand Register of Deeds and Tax Administration
Option 2 would cost $84,284,169 according to the report and includes the building, site construction and furnishings. It does not include the cost of any land.
The Growth Needs Study Report only looked at county government office space needs, and did not analyze any public school construction needs. Following the presentation, Johnston County Commissioners took no action on the report.
Could we the tax payers get a second opinion,?
Please stop growth it’s killing Johnston County
Don’t worry, it will all be paid for by the tax revenue from the new subdivision off of 70.
Look it’s cheaper to uplift the building their in. Do not move them out into new buildings . Half of them do t do their jobs as it is . Also their gonna want more pay so think smart and renovate the buildings your in. You is the dummy that would even say vacate all of these buildings and build new ones ? Fire this person
Certainly it will of course be named. The Concrete Cowboy Center. Fred Smith bought and paid for it lol. He wants a legacy. It’s why he bought that seat for #250K
One thing they don’t mention is this report is, what are they going to do with all of the buildings they are going to vacate? Proof once again that these massive subdivisions and uncontrolled growth ALWAYS ends up costing more than it ever takes in. Jocoproud.