CHESTER COUNTY, S.C. — Sheriff Max Dorsey has proposed constructing a new law enforcement complex on more than 90 acres of land near Highway 9 and McCandless Road in Chester County.
In addition to a new jail, the planned facility would house the sheriff’s office, the 911 center, and the magistrate court.
The county has secured $1.5 million in state funding to support the property acquisition, and the Chester County Council voted to authorize negotiations for the site.
However, the proposal faces pushback from community members concerned about the facility’s location, which sits approximately one mile from Chester Park School.
Dorsey emphasized that a new facility is necessary to address severe physical decay at the current county jail.
“Maintenance patches can no longer hold 60 years of decaying plumbing, rusted ductwork, and structural problems,” Dorsey said.
County leaders noted that the proposed site offers key operational advantages for county services.
“You want it kind of centrally located, you want it close to the courthouse, close to the county seat, close to the schools as you can get it overall,” a county official said.
Despite those advantages, the site’s proximity to Chester Park School has created apprehension among local residents.
“Just say something happened, somebody gets out, where you think they gonna go straight there?” one community member said.
Chester County Administrator Brian Hester acknowledged that officials have received complaints about the chosen site while emphasizing the security benefits of the complex.
“And so I think that has to be taken into account the pros on the other side of that, logically speaking, probably the safest place could be right with law enforcement 24/7. But I understand and respect people’s opinion on that. And I think council does,” Hester said.
In a statement, Dorsey reassured the public that community input remains part of the planning process.
“On Monday, October 5, 2026, I stood before County Council to ask formal permission to begin negotiations to potentially purchase approximately 92 acres of property located at the intersection of Lancaster Highway (Highway 9) and McCandless Road.
While we recognize this particular tract offers optimal access for emergency response times across all sectors of our county, we also hear and understand the feedback from our community members.
I can assure every single community member that we are still listening and are committed to selecting the best location for the future of our law enforcement facility with your concerns in mind.
The reality of our current situation is that our county faces multiple challenges with the law enforcement center as a result of age and maintenance requirements. I have expressed this to our community for the last five years.
We can no longer continue to put a Band-Aid on things in hopes of it withstanding the next 5 years. It is important for everyone to remember this project is more than just a jail.
It is a complex that will house our E-911 Emergency Dispatch Center, the Magistrate’s Court, criminal evidence storage, and Sheriff’s Office headquarters.
This is an important decision, and I recognize we must get this right, as it will not only impact the next few years, but it will impact the safety and security of our entire county for generations to come.”
Chester County Council must approve any final land purchase before the transaction can take place.
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