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Board approves schematic design for Second Street Place shelter renovation; construction planned April–November 2026
Summary
The Wake County Board of Commissioners approved schematic designs May 5 for renovations to Second Street Place, a shelter facility; construction is scheduled for April–November 2026 and staff described options to maintain services during the work.
The Wake County Board of Commissioners approved schematic design plans May 5 to renovate Second Street Place, a county-operated shelter in North Raleigh, with construction planned April 1–Nov. 1, 2026.
County project manager Tommy Moorman and SE Architects principal Eric Sowers presented the interior renovation plan, which reconfigures floor space to add two dormitories (each with ADA-accessible restrooms and showers), permanent restrooms and bottle-filling stations, staff offices, a conference room for counseling and upgraded electrical, mechanical and emergency-power systems. The renovation also contemplates replacement of the building roof and includes sustainable features such as energy-efficient mechanical systems, low-flow fixtures, LED lighting and high-reflectivity roofing.
The project team estimated an all-in budget of about $5.2 million and said the plan includes owner’s contingency to address inflation and supply-chain risks. Staff said phasing or bidding specific work items (for example, bidding the roof or solar PV as alternates) are options if cost pressures rise before construction.
Commissioners asked about operations during the seven-month construction period. County staff described two options: (1) identify an alternate site in Wake County to relocate shelter programming intact, or (2) partner with Continuum of Care (CoC) organizations so that community partners share responsibility for client services during the temporary closure. Staff said the market makes finding a single short-term building difficult and they were leaning toward a community-partnership approach with the CoC. Staff also said the facility currently offers secure storage for guests’ large belongings outside the building on a night-by-night basis and that service providers accommodate daytime storage needs when necessary.
The board’s motion approving schematic design passed unanimously. Construction drawings are scheduled to be completed in September 2025, the county plans to bid the project in October, and award a contract in November 2025 with a notice to proceed for long-lead procurement. Construction would begin in April 2026 with completion targeted for Nov. 1, 2026 — in time for the “white flag” season when the shelter operates on cold-weather protocols.
Why it matters: The renovation is intended to improve shelter conditions, add accessible restrooms and showers, and expand program space that county officials say will support transitions to enduring housing. Staff emphasized planning to prevent gaps in services while the building is offline.
