The Moore County Board of Commissioners approved several major capital projects totaling millions of dollars during their March 17 meeting. The commissioners considered these projects to be long-term investments in infrastructure, public safety, and water resources.
Fire and EMS Projects Approved
As the meeting moved forward, the board approved $1 million for a new joint fire and EMS facility on J. Dowdy Road, often referred to as “Station X.” The project is expected to improve emergency response times in rural areas and will include apparatus bays and storage for emergency trailers.
“In October 2022, the Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of property located on J. Dowdy Road for the construction of a new joint Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Fire Station to serve the surrounding area,” reads the official memo as presented to the commissioners. “The proposed facility is a collaborative project between Moore County EMS and the Robbins Fire Department aimed at improving emergency response capabilities in this region of the county.”
Through this partnership, the Robbins Fire Department will staff the station with a fire engine, a move expected to “significantly improve” fire protection in the area. Parts of this region currently hold a Fire Protection Class rating of 10, meaning they lack recognized fire coverage for insurance purposes. Having a staffed fire apparatus at this site will boost response capabilities and could help improve fire protection ratings for nearby properties.
The project site has already been prepared and is ready for construction. Plans call for a 60-by-80-foot metal building with three drive-through apparatus bays, along with office and support space for EMS and fire personnel.
The site will also feature a 60-by-80-foot open-span storage structure to provide covered space for Moore County Emergency Management equipment, including response trailers, the mobile kitchen, message boards, generators, and the mobile command trailer.
Developing this shared facility will enhance coordination among EMS, fire, and emergency management while improving service delivery and overall preparedness for residents in this part of Moore County.
The total project cost for Station X is budgeted at $1,000,000 in Fund 452. Of that amount, $819,715 will come from the Public Safety/EMS Fund Balance (Fund 200), and $180,285 will be transferred from the Pandemic Recovery Capital Project (Fund 437).
In addition, commissioners moved forward with plans for a $2.5 million replacement of the Pinehurst EMS base, a building that is approximately 50 years old. Due to zoning constraints and aging infrastructure, replacement is the most practical option, with a target completion date of December 2027.
Between late November and early December 2025, Moore County and the Village of Pinehurst finalized a land‑swap agreement to support relocating the EMS station. Under the deal, the Village took ownership of 290 McCaskill Road East, while the County assumed ownership of 55 Rattlesnake Trail.
Plans for the new Pinehurst EMS facility call for a single‑story building that will replace the current setup of two separate structures. Bringing all operations under one roof will improve efficiency and overall functionality.
The Pinehurst EMS station serves as the main restocking point for EMS units working in the southern part of the county. After transporting patients to the hospital, crews return here to replenish medical supplies and prepare for their next call.
The facility also houses the EMS Major assigned to the Pinehurst area and serves as the deployment point for two ambulances that respond directly to emergencies from this location.
The Pinehurst EMS Renovations project is estimated at $2,500,000. Of that amount, $2,066,000 will come from the Public Safety/EMS Fund Balance (Fund 200), and $434,000 will be transferred from the Pandemic Recovery Capital Project (Fund 437).
Additional Projects
During the meeting, commissioners also discussed and voted on several other proposals.
Among the largest commitments was $3 million for the restoration of the county’s historic courthouse, a multi-year effort that will include upgrades to the building’s HVAC system, roof, electrical components, stonework, and windows. The project was described as essential to preserving one of the county’s most significant public buildings while ensuring it remains functional for future use, and is estimated to take up to three years to complete.
Before moving forward with a vote, which ultimately passed unanimously, Chair Nick Picerno asked Finance Director Caroline Xiong to confirm that the county has “approximately 49 million in the capital reserve for governmental projects.”
Xiong confirmed that this is true and that she checked before presenting any information to the commissioners.
Now, an architectural firm will need to be selected through the RFQ (Request for Qualifications) process.
Commissioners also approved $200,000 for an engineering evaluation of Crystal Lake as a potential future water source. The study, to be conducted by LKC Engineering, is part of a broader effort to sustain the county’s long-term water supply strategy.
The first steps of the process will include confirmation of the safe yield of Crystal Lake, assistance with raw water sampling, environmental permitting review, and surveying of the reservoir.
The commissioners reiterated the importance of relying on data and scientific analysis before making any decisions about the lake’s use.
To watch the full March 17 meeting on video, please click here.
Abegail Murphy | Assistant Editor
Written by Sandhills Sentinel assistant editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
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