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Council approves design‑build approach, sets $1.75M cap for Valdese police station renovation after chief's urgent plea
Summary
Valdese council voted to pursue a design‑build contract to renovate 215 Main Street East into a permanent police station, approving a not‑to‑exceed cap of $1.75 million after Police Chief Sharp detailed urgent staffing, evidence‑storage and statutory recording needs.
The Valdese Town Council on Oct. 7 approved using a design‑build procurement to renovate 215 Main Street East as the town's permanent police station, setting a not‑to‑exceed budget cap of $1.75 million and requiring work to be completed within six months of contract acceptance.
Police Chief Sharp told the council the department faces long‑standing facility and staffing shortfalls and legal obligations that a renovated building would address. "We need to stop addressing these issues with duct tape and fix a problem with a real, solid solution," he said, describing a lack of secure evidence storage, a sally port for custodial interviews and space for audio‑video recording required by state law. The chief said the department has made 230 arrests so far this year and lacks facilities to securely process and preserve evidence.
Councilman Harvey moved the measure, arguing the renovation should receive the highest priority among planned construction projects. Council members debated procurement options, noting the state’s newer design‑build statutes require an establishment‑of‑criteria step before an RFQ. Legal staff and the interim manager explained that the town has paid no money on the prior architect contract and can terminate it with seven days' notice without cost.
Concerns about underestimating cost led several members to propose raising the original $1 million cap. After discussion and an amendment, the council approved a revised cap of $1.75 million and carried the motion as amended.
Chief Sharp framed the renovation as a public‑safety and legal necessity. He said the department has lost dozens of officers over the past decade, cited equipment shortfalls and called for in‑house training and evidence processing facilities. "We cannot continue to look in the past about what has not been done; we need to look into the future about what needs to be done and come up with a solution," he said.
The council also scheduled a workshop on Oct. 24 to review the design‑build process and learn about alternative contractor selection models. The interim manager and town attorney said the establishment‑of‑criteria document required by statute will be prepared for council consideration before RFQs are advertised.
The council voted in favor; terms negotiated under the RFQ and subsequent contract will determine final scope, timeline and any amendments to the cost cap.
