Garner staff prioritize $55M Public Works center and $7M town share for Salls Road station

Budget Director Sarah Warren and Town Engineer Leah Harrison presented Garner's Capital Improvement Plan horizon list and identified two high-priority projects for further planning and possible financing.

Warren said staff consider the Public Works Center redevelopment the town's largest near-term facility need because several existing buildings have reached the end of their useful life and staffing space is exhausted. The preliminary town cost estimate presented is approximately $55,000,000. Warren said the town purchased a parcel in 2024 for about $1.2 million and has committed $125,000 already to repair a failing dam; another $155,000 is proposed for FY27 to complete remediation work. The project team has issued a request for qualifications to begin preliminary design; staff noted that phasing could lower near-term expenditure but that the Local Government Commission requires the full construction package be bid together, complicating phased contracting.

The second priority was the Salls Road Public Safety Station (a rebuild of Fire Station 2). Staff estimated Garner's portion at roughly $7,000,000; Wake County has committed $4.9 million, making a preliminary combined estimate of $11,900,000. County preliminary design and land studies are complete; outstanding issues include potential property expansion and a recommended access road that may require acquiring adjoining property or easements.

Warren and Harrison also reviewed other horizon items including Meadowbrook (approx. $3.7M from the 2021 bond program), a Lake Benson boathouse (~$5M estimate, location undecided), Avery Street renovations (~$3M for restrooms and annex work), and several roadway and stormwater priorities (Ackerman Road extension, Wilmington Road/Creech realignment). Staff emphasized many cost estimates are high-level and will require design work and partner funding for feasibility.

Council members asked detailed questions about phasing, temporary service interruptions during construction, land acquisition, and the potential for stormwater facilities on the Public Works property. Staff said feasibility, design and partnership options will be part of next steps and that CIP prioritization will be on the council retreat agenda.