MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Hennepin County Board has approved a $21.6-million contract for a new 911 emergency communications building.

The Sheriff’s Office says groundbreaking on the new building is expected next year. The facility will be in Plymouth, near the county jail.

Sheriff Rich Stanek says the project is essential to public safety, and will ensure uninterrupted service for 911 calls, radio dispatch and technical services.

The Sheriff’s Office says the county’s current emergency communications facility in Golden Valley isn’t big enough to accommodate new technology, and the equipment there isn’t adequately protected.

The $21.6-million contract was awarded Tuesday to Stahl Construction. The project has a total projected budget of $33.7 million.

The Sheriff’s Office provides public safety dispatch services for 23 law enforcement agencies and 19 fire departments.

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