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Commissioners approve land swap with Koury for planned Mebane EMS substation; construction estimate $5 million
Summary
The board approved a property exchange with developer Koury (Corey/Koury referenced in meeting) to secure a 2.5‑acre site near Smith Drive and U.S. 119 for an EMS substation in Mebane. The swap was approved unanimously; the developer will perform site grading and install a culvert before transfer.
Alamance County commissioners on Monday approved a land‑exchange resolution that transfers a county‑owned 1.6‑acre property on South Third Street in Mebane to the developer Koury Corporation in exchange for an approximately 2.5‑acre parcel at the intersection of Smith Drive and U.S. 119. County presenters said the site is intended for a new EMS substation serving Mebane and surrounding areas.
County staff described the exchange as a straight property trade conditioned on the developer completing site work before transfer. The developer agreed to install a roughly 50‑foot culvert, perform grading for the entrance and deliver the parcel in a graded condition. County Attorney described the board’s necessary finding as receipt of “a full and fair consideration in exchange for the property.”
Why it matters: Staff said response times to much of Mebane are presently constrained because the nearest county EMS station is in Graham. A Mebane substation is intended to reduce travel time to high‑call areas such as downtown Mebane and the Tanger Outlets.
Key details from the presentation and discussion - Existing county parcel: South Third Street property in Mebane, approximately 1.6 acres; staff said nearby planned development made the Third Street site less suitable for long‑term EMS operations. - Proposed county parcel: roughly 2.5 acres cut from a larger parcel owned by Koury Corporation at Smith Drive and U.S. 119; staff displayed a conceptual layout showing two ambulance bays and vehicle circulation. - Developer commitments: grading, entrance work and a 50‑foot culvert to address a stream at the southwest corner; those improvements will be completed before the county accepts the new parcel. - Construction estimate and staffing: staff provided a planning‑level construction estimate of about $5,000,000 for the substation and said the county has budgeted the first portion in the current fiscal year and would budget the remainder next year. The facility is planned to staff two ambulances at opening, which county staff said would require roughly 16 personnel to cover shifts.
Board action Commissioners approved a resolution authorizing the exchange. The county attorney summarized the legal finding required for the swap and noted that the construction contract and related work would be procured through competitive bidding when the county moves to the building phase. The resolution passed on a unanimous voice vote; the record shows the board approved the resolution and instructed county staff and the attorney to finalize the transaction.
What happens next If the exchange proceeds as described, Koury will complete the grading and culvert work before the county takes title to the Smith Drive parcel. Staff said construction is expected to be budgeted across this and next fiscal year, with building to follow competitive procurement. The county will return to the board with contract awards and personnel‑budget details as those items are finalized.
Ending: The board’s approval clears the way for the county to obtain a site intended to improve EMS coverage in Mebane; precise construction timing and final costs will be determined through later procurement and budget steps.
