The design process for a new Ohio State Highway Patrol post in South Point has the final go ahead to proceed near the new school complex on County Road 60.

According to OSHP, the Post 44 project will be the first U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certified project completed by the Ohio Department of Public Safety and OSHP. It will incorporate environmentally sustainable (“green”) design concepts and technologies with a sustainable future as paramount consideration in the design process.

According to the U.S. Green Building Council, green buildings are environmentally responsible and healthy places to live and work.

The exteriors of green buildings are designed to maximize or limit solar exposure during different times of the year.

Inside “green” buildings is furniture and materials made of recyclable materials and fiber-optic lighting, among other air quality materials.

“The South Point High School donated us about 4-1/2 acres to build a facility,” said Lt. Michael Gore. “It’s mutually beneficial for us and it’s less money that we have to spend on the purchase of the land. We’re going to be right there should they need us for anything.”

The old building was built about 1984 with about 1,500 square feet.

“When it was built, there were probably only seven troopers here,” Gore said. “Now, we have 13. We’re crowded.”

The current garage has to be used for storage. The new building will be about 6,600 square feet and have a new two-bay garage.

Although the money was allocated several months ago, the property transfer was not completed until July 1.

The next step will be accepting bids for the architecture and construction for the $1.9 million building.

“They say it takes 18 months from the minute they break ground to the end,” Gore said.