The Berrien County Health Department is about to start some major renovations at its office in Niles.

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners this week approved a contract with the Rienks Group for Phase 1 construction of the South County Health Department at a cost of $1.2 million. County Administrator Brian Dissette told us the offices in Niles have become outdated, and the health department is going to shift how it uses the space.

“As you walk through that hallway, looking left, you’ll see the health department,” Dissette said. “Looking to your right, there’s empty, vacant space. That empty, vacant space in the past has been used for jury pools. It’s also been used as a backup emergency operations center. What is going to occur is essentially a flip-flop.”

The currently empty space will be fixed up.

“They will then move across the hall into newly renovated space. Then the old health department space will be demoed and be available as overflow space for the court, for the board, for the sheriff’s office, etc.”

The goal is to create a state-of-the-art clinical and office space supporting staff efficiency, accessibility, and an improved patient experience. The space has not undergone a significant renovation in several decades.

The bid from the Rienks Group was the lowest bid received.