Mustang Music Outreach wins lease for Kill Devil Hills' old fire station

Kill Devil Hills on June 8 approved a lease allowing the Mustang Music Outreach Program to occupy the southern portion of the town's former fire station at 1634 North Croatan Highway, a move supporters said will expand music education and youth programming countywide. The board voted unanimously after more than a dozen residents and program leaders spoke in support.

Ruth Wine, co-founder and music director of Mustang Music Outreach, told the board the organization began as private lessons and volunteer bands and later became a nonprofit to provide scholarships and ensemble opportunities: "We started putting little bands together" and built the program into a community resource that offers lessons, bands and performance chances for local youth. Amanda Williams, Mustang's assistant music director, said the program helps students build teamwork and academic skills and noted recent large performance opportunities that give students real-world experience.

Shelley Gates, president of Mustang's board of directors, argued the former firehouse would let the nonprofit expand lessons, larger ensembles and workshops while also preserving a public facility. Gates said Mustang will establish an emergency fund with the Outer Banks Community Foundation to address repairs and future renovations, and asked for the board's partnership in stewarding the building.

Several parents and local musicians provided personal endorsements. Laura Willingham, who said she is a parent and volunteer, described the program's impact on her two children; Ted Mitchell, a First Flight High School teacher and local musician, urged the board to lease a larger space so more students can participate.

Town staff told commissioners a July 2025 assessment found the facility in good overall condition with only minor cosmetic work needed, and staff recommended leasing the southern section to Mustang Outreach to broaden non-sport youth opportunities. The record shows the nonprofit's monthly rent will be $1,200, which staff said will help offset facility maintenance costs.

A commissioner moved to approve the lease as presented; after a second the board voted by voice and the motion passed unanimously. The lease approval follows a public hearing and extensive public comment earlier in the meeting. The board did not specify an exact occupancy start date in the hearing record; staff will follow up with implementation details and any required lease paperwork.