Wake County commissioners approved on March 19 plans to replace and modernize the EMS Station 5 on Hargrove Road in Raleigh. The new facility will include an additional ambulance bay, expanded living areas for staff, and environmentally friendly upgrades.
The decision is intended to help Wake County meet the needs of a growing community by improving emergency medical services infrastructure. The upgrades are expected to support both service delivery and employee well-being for years to come.
“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.”
EMS Station 5, also known as Mini City Station, was originally built in 1989. The current building measures 2,066 square feet with two vehicle bays occupying more than half of the space. The planned replacement will be 4,383 square feet and add another vehicle bay, allowing the station to respond more efficiently as call volumes increase.
Staff living areas will be significantly expanded in the new design. Features include increased dining and living space, a supervisor office, extra storage, and a wellness room that can serve as a private area for reflection or meditation as well as a lactation space.
Sustainability features are central to the project. Plans call for a solar photovoltaic system, low-flow plumbing fixtures, high-efficiency heat pumps, polished concrete flooring, low-carbon concrete materials, and native drought-tolerant landscaping.
With schematic designs now approved, Wake County will proceed with permitting and public bidding. Construction is scheduled to begin this fall with completion expected by late 2027. EMS units are anticipated to start using the new station by early 2028.
