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Wake County reviews $57 million animal center schematic; designers emphasize modern animal-care standards
Summary
Designers and county project managers presented a schematic design, program size and schedule for a new Wake County animal center on the Randle Farm site; the project is estimated at $57 million with alternatives to reduce cost and a planned construction start in 2027.
Wake County staff and architects presented the schematic design for a new county animal center on Jan. 12, describing program capacity, design features intended to reduce animal stress and disease, budget estimates and a project schedule.
Patrick McHugh, project manager with Facilities Design and Construction, said the recommended site is part of the Randle Farm parcel jointly owned by Wake County and the city of Raleigh. The project team said the existing shelter is roughly half the size of the program now proposed: designers programmed about 56,400 square feet of building area with roughly 8,000 square feet of covered outdoor kennel space.
Rhonda Zak (R and D Architects) and Heather Lewis (Animal Arts) described animal-care-driven design choices: 265 dog kennels and 184 cat condos, separation of intake and adoption circulation, indoor-outdoor runs to reduce stress, double-compartment housing for safety and biosecurity measures (drainage and HVAC design). Lewis said these veterinary and housing standards speed animal recovery and turnover: “When you do 265 of something, the compartment size matters.”
The estimated project budget is $57,000,000, with two bid alternates to preserve budget feasibility: an add-alternate to restore 31 additional dog kennels (roughly $2,000,000) and a training building (roughly $750,000). The project team proposed using the CMAR (construction manager at risk) process and expects design, bidding and construction activity to span through 2028, with occupancy planning into 2029.
Commissioners asked about distance from Raleigh (~9 miles straight-line from the old facility), volunteer amenities, space for non-dog/cat animals, and euthanasia and aftercare facilities; designers said the plan includes volunteer space, small-critters area and dignified end-of-life rooms and aftercare logistics. After discussion, commissioners directed staff to place the schematic-design item on the Jan. 20 regular agenda (rather than consent) to allow further community visibility and board discussion.
Why it matters: The design represents a substantial capital and operational investment intended to expand capacity, improve animal care and provide community veterinary services; budget alternates and partnerships will determine final scope.
