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Alamance commissioners authorize design‑build procurement for proposed $5M Mebane EMS substation
Summary
To address long EMS response times in Mebane, the commissioners authorized using a design‑build method to solicit proposals for a planned $5 million EMS substation; the board approved the resolution unanimously but did not commit construction funding until land transfer and financing steps are complete.
Alamance County commissioners on April 6 authorized a resolution to use the design‑build construction method to deliver a proposed EMS substation in Mebane, a step staff says will shorten response times in a fast‑growing area.
County staff said the proposed base is intended to address a Mebane average response time of 14 minutes, 28 seconds — higher than the county average — and that the project was included in last year's capital plan with $500,000 already budgeted for design. The estimated construction cost is approximately $5 million; staff said the county would finance construction and would not commit to construction contracts until the land transfer is complete.
"Design‑build gives us one point of contact for design and construction, which is helpful given our small facilities team," a county facilities presenter told commissioners, noting the county's recent design‑build experience with another project.
Commissioners emphasized caution: several members said they would not sign a construction contract until the county actually owns the site (a land swap is in process) and that operating costs and paramedic staffing (about 16 additional paramedics were mentioned as a future staffing need) must be included in upcoming budgets. Despite those reservations, the board voted unanimously to authorize the procurement method and direct staff to advertise an RFQ; the vote was recorded as 5–0.
Next steps
If the land transfer completes as expected, staff will advertise a request for qualifications for 6–8 weeks, evaluate proposals, and return a recommended contract for the board's approval before any construction contract is executed. Staff estimated 12–18 months from procurement to building completion once the project begins.
