North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Wake County commissioners on Wednesday approved plans to replace and modernize the aging EMS Station 5 on Hargrove Road, known locally as Mini City Station.
The new station will nearly double in size, adding an extra ambulance bay and expanded living areas for staff, along with a range of eco-friendly upgrades.
“By improving our EMS stations, we also improve our system’s long-term ability to meet the needs of a growing community,” said Wake County Commissioner Vickie Adamson. “The upgrades to Station 5 reflect a workplace that is ready to support sustainable, exceptional service delivery and employee health and resilience for decades to come.”
Built in 1989, the current station measures 2,066 square feet and includes two vehicle bays that occupy more than half of the space. The replacement building will be 4,383 square feet, making room for an additional vehicle bay and helping EMS maintain rapid response times amid rising call volumes.
The redesign also expands staff living areas, including larger dining and living spaces, a supervisor office, extra storage, and a wellness room. The wellness room will provide a private area for reflection or meditation and can also serve as a lactation space.
Sustainability is a key focus of the project. Planned environmentally conscious features include a solar photovoltaic system, high-efficiency heat pumps, low-flow plumbing fixtures, polished and low-carbon concrete, and native, drought-tolerant landscaping.
With schematic designs approved, Wake County will now move forward with permitting and a public bid process. Construction is expected to begin this fall, with completion targeted for late 2027. EMS units are projected to occupy the new station by early 2028.