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Mooresville fire chief seeks Station 7 on Lowe’s property; timeline targets mid-2028 move-in
Summary
Fire Chief Curt Deaton and asset-management staff briefed the board about a proposed Fire Station 7 location on property offered by Lowe’s, an MOU under review, apparatus already ordered, and a design/bid timeline that could see construction complete and staff moved in by summer 2028.
Fire Chief Curt Deaton and asset-management staff presented the rationale, status and timeline for a proposed Fire Station 7 on property being offered by Lowe’s.
Chief Deaton said the town’s response-time analysis shows areas south and west of the current network would benefit from a new station. He described two planning targets used by the department: a 5-mile distance threshold tied to ISO (insurance-rating) criteria and a performance-based goal of reaching most calls within about four minutes from an appropriately located station.
Deaton said the town sent a draft memorandum of understanding to Lowe’s in early January and that Lowe’s provided comments on the draft; staff are working through the company’s response and expect to return revised language to the manager’s office. Deaton said he did not see the Lowe’s comments as problematic and that easement, access and operational coordination items were the main content of the response.
Apparatus and timeline: The town has ordered replacement apparatus — two engines and a ladder truck — and Deaton said deliveries are expected to align with a construction timeline that staff modeled. Asset management director Chris Wyckoff presented a multi-year timeline that assumes design and selection of a design/build contractor in 2026, construction through 2027 and move-in in summer 2028. Wyckoff said construction might take about 18 months and that staff plan to use a design-build approach similar to recent public-safety projects.
Board reaction and next steps: Commissioners noted the station’s potential to change growth dynamics in the area and discussed coordination with neighboring jurisdictions. Several members emphasized the need to pair the facility decision with staffing and operations planning so the town is ready to staff the station when it opens.
Ending: Staff said they will continue negotiations with Lowe’s, finalize the MOU revisions, and bring final design and financing steps to the board for approval as the timeline progresses.
