Pender County managers report progress on Health & Human Services building, law enforcement center and Hampstead Library

Pender County project staff and contractors gave commissioners a progress update on three county capital projects — the new Health & Human Services building in Burgaw, the county Law Enforcement Center and the planned Hampstead Library — saying each is moving through construction with distinct milestones and budget notes.

Nick West, the county's project manager, introduced the contractors and said the presentations would cover schedules and budgets. Will Barber, a project manager for the firm identified in the presentation packet, said the Health & Human Services facility has completed exterior brick veneer and rooftop equipment installation and that "our anticipated, substantial completion date is 04/06/2026." He reported the project's progress-to-date billing at 72 percent and a remaining balance to finish of $13,000,000. Barber said interior finishes, ceiling trim work, bathroom tiling and landscaping remain and that the building has been energized and passed recent water tests.

Commissioners asked about the timing and whether a temporary certificate of occupancy (TCO) could be sought for parts of the facility before full completion. Barber said a partial TCO is possible but "it's really gonna be up to [the town of] Burgaw's discretion whether they would allow that or not." He said staff would explore that option with the town.

Steve Nally of Moseley Architects and John Stilkais (presented as representing D & D Daniels) updated commissioners on the Pender County Law Enforcement Center. Nally said site work is advancing: north parking stone and site lighting conduit have been installed, storm drainage piping is in, a warehouse structure is erected and brick veneer and window installation are nearing completion in several building areas. He reported the project is approximately 45 percent complete by time and that the final completion date had been pushed out six days because of weather; the new target final completion is "10/18/26." On budget he said pay applications indicate about 57 percent complete and noted some future cost items are under review, including a potential boring option under Old Savannah Road related to unsuitable soils.

Nally also listed short-term milestones the team expects: permanent power and a radio tower in October, site utilities to the building in November and the access road to Penderlea finished in December. Commissioners asked about coordination with the sheriff's office and 9-1-1 operations; Nally and D & D representatives said ongoing, close coordination of MEP (mechanical/electrical/plumbing) and layout decisions has been part of the process.

Alan Phillips Bell, director of Pender County Library, presented the Hampstead Library plan with architects from Sawyer, Sherwood & Associates. Bell said community fundraising and gifts have already totaled about $1,659,000: $500,000 pledged by the Topsail Township Friends of the Library, a $159,000 bequest from a former Friends board member (Edna Kellett) and a $1,000,000 anonymous gift. The architects described the site plan and program: a predominantly mass-timber and wood-framed building with multipurpose rooms that can be accessed after hours, a children's library, a sheltered courtyard and layouts intended to mitigate traffic and noise from nearby Highway 17.

The consultants said construction documents were completed in August and that they expect site permits by November, with bid solicitation possible late this year or early next year. Their schedule projects occupancy in April 2027, and they gave a current total project budget of $15,300,000, which the architects said includes furniture, fixtures, professional fees and contingencies. The architects reported that their most recent third-party cost estimate was "well within budget."

Why it matters: the three projects together represent multi-year capital investments that affect county operations (health and human services space needs), public safety operations and public facilities for residents in the rapidly growing Hampstead area. Commissioners pressed for clarity on timelines, partial occupancy options and potential additional costs tied to site work and soil conditions.

What comes next: staff said they will investigate a partial TCO for the HHS building with the town of Burgaw, continue monitoring cost implications at the Law Enforcement Center (including potential boring under Old Savannah Road) and proceed with permitting and bidding phases for the Hampstead Library. Several commissioners asked for continued monthly or quarterly updates as permitting and construction progress.