New fire station, larger town hall and police department all on the way
Cost: $5.3 million
Completion: Late 2018 or early 2019
The details: Kure Beach leaders hope to break ground this month on changes to town facilities that have been years in the making. The 1990s-era buildings at 117 Settlers Lane now hold a staff twice the size as when they were built, and over the past two years town leaders have advanced a $5.3-million upgrade plan.
Kure Beach's Fire Station will get a brand new building, featuring a 2,933-square-foot fire truck garage, a 789-square-foot training area and more room for sleeping quarters, workout and living space and offices. Town hall will undergo renovations to add offices, increase storage and host larger town council meetings. The fire department's move to a new facility will also allow the police department to expand into its former space. The entire facility's parking lot will also get 48 more spaces.
Thomas Construction Group, LLC of Wilmington won the $4,386,807 contract in November. Kure Beach leaders have said the facilities will be large enough to serve the town for another 25 years.
The progress: The town's government offices moved to a temporary home last month at the Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area, in a cluster of mobile units. Residents can still get hold of officials at their regular phone numbers and use the same mailing address for correspondence.
Construction will take an estimated 10 to 12 months, and Mayor Craig Bloszinsky said the town is closing the last of its permits needed to start construction.
Reporter Cammie Bellamy can be reached at 910-343-2339 or Cammie.Bellamy@StarNewsOnline.com.