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NORTH SHELBY – While U.S. 280 area residents might be looking forward to the conveniences offered by a new Shelby County services center, its construction will mean voting changes for some.

The county is demolishing the building that most recently housed Blackwatch Sports Performance at 19220 U.S. 280 and then will build the new center.

The new facility will house Shelby County Water Services (whose current office is in Westover) and a Shelby County License Office that is currently located in Inverness.

A third driver license test office will also be located at the site, as will Shelby County 911 and a new Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Substation.

The old Blackwatch building, which the county purchased several years ago when the property entered foreclosure, served as the polling site for the Shelby County Precinct 10.

Construction of the new facility will be ongoing throughout 2020, and since multiple elections are scheduled this year, a temporary voting structure will be erected for Precinct 10 voters.

The temporary voting structure will be located at the back of the parking lot that serves the SportsBlast 1996 soccer fields, with handicap parking available near the structure and restrooms available next door.

Upcoming elections include the Primary election on March 3, a possible runoff in March and then the General Election on Nov. 3.

Once the new services center is completed, Precinct 10 voters will vote in the building’s spacious Community Room.

But even in the meantime, Shelby County Manager Chad Scroggins said the temporary voting structure could be an improvement over the Blackwatch building, which often saw long lines because there was only one set of doors shared by those going in and coming out.

“We will make sure it is ready for our voters on March 3,” Scroggins said.

Voters will enter the site via U.S. 280 and then exit onto Dunnavant Valley Road. The entrance and exit will both be one-way only.