Project Scope:

This project will construct a public safety campus which will be a central hub for all Gaston County emergency services including Emergency Management and Fire Services, County Police, 911 dispatch/communications, and Gaston Emergency Medical Services (GEMS).The campus construction will include necessary buildings, drives, parking, ancillary structures and enhanced security.

Background:

In 2020, Gaston County, with the assistance of an outside consultant, completed a space needs assessment as a strategic guide to better integrate, support and transition current programs and service facilities for future needs. The space needs assessment provided the County with information to inform decisions regarding long-term public safety needs in our growing community. To continue serving citizens at a high level of service, the County used the information outlined in the study to begin design of a new public safety campus. The Emergency Management/GEMS/911 headquarters is currently located on Highland Street and does not meet the space needs of any of the departments. County Police is currently housed in a facility on West Franklin Boulevard that does not meet current community policing needs.

All the departments are in need of additional space appropriately designed, configured, and equipped to meet current community expectations. This facility is one of the most critical long-term needs identified in the Facility Master Plan Update. Property at the corner of North Broad Street and East Davidson Ave was purchased with a County vision to transform the vacant land into a Public Safety Campus allowing The Office of Emergency Management & Fire Services, EOC, 911 Communications, GEMS and Gaston County Police to improve customer service, security, safety, accessibility and reduce maintenance and operational costs of the existing facilities. The project will plan, design, and build a state-of-the-art facility equipped to adequately serve the citizens of Gaston County.