A nearly $348,000, 7,200-square foot metal shed will be built near the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office once Missouri River floodwaters recede. The shed, which will hold equipment and large evidence from criminal cases, is being funded through money forfeited and seized during traffic stops involving drugs. The building also will house a number of specialized trailers the Sheriff’s Office has gained over the years, including a bomb squad trailer.

The Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors voted last week to sign a contract with Andersen Construction to build a $347,820 shed behind an existing shed north of the Sheriff’s Office. Assistant Pottawattamie County Attorney Maggie Reyes said that while the contract has been signed, construction is not likely to begin until after the threat of flooding has subsided, and is expected to take less than 180-days.

Sheriff Jeff Danker said the price of the project includes tree removal, running electricity to the site, architectural work, permits, concrete work, grading and the building itself. He says also, that his department needs the added storage.

He cited as an example, a large burglary arrest made in 200, which resulted in his office renting storage units to hold the seized property.