Wrightsville Beach Public Safety
Square Footage
24,951 SF
Project Description
The Wrightsville Beach Fire Department started out as all volunteer back in 1915 and has since grown to include both career and volunteer staff. The previous station consisted of a series of old metal buildings that volunteers had helped construct and due to its age and location was in serious need of replacement. The site for the Town Municipal Complex, located less than a mile from the ocean, is in a VE high hazard coastal zone susceptible to floods, storm surge and hurricane force winds. These factors required that a new hardened emergency facility be constructed to house both the Fire and Police departments.
This site for this Public Safety Facility was selected to provide adequate street access for both the Fire and Police Department, as well as to create a campus-type relationship with the existing Town Hall. This site was selected as a result of an in depth study of multiple site possibilities.
The coastal climate and potential for severe weather conditions required that the building be elevated above flood level, with the exception of the Apparatus Bays. The main floor of the facility, therefore, stands on piers at 20’-0” above sea level. The 3 apparatus bays, storage, and decontamination spaces are located on ground level in breakaway enclosures to prevent damage to the structure during storm surge.
The Fire Department is equipped with three double-stacked, drive-through bays, integrated training platforms and facilities, administrative space, ten individual sleep rooms and additional facilities necessary for full-time operation.
The Police Department contains ample space for administrative work, investigations, records and evidence storage, patrol operations and holding facilities which are accessed via a secure elevator. The departments share a large training room and conference room, which is centrally located.
A wrap-around porch, low roof pitch, and deep overhangs tie the building to the surrounding architecture setting a precedent for future development within the Town Municipal Complex.
Our Involvement
Square Footage
24,951 SF
Project Description
The Wrightsville Beach Fire Department started out as all volunteer back in 1915 and has since grown to include both career and volunteer staff. The previous station consisted of a series of old metal buildings that volunteers had helped construct and due to its age and location was in serious need of replacement. The site for the Town Municipal Complex, located less than a mile from the ocean, is in a VE high hazard coastal zone susceptible to floods, storm surge and hurricane force winds. These factors required that a new hardened emergency facility be constructed to house both the Fire and Police departments.
This site for this Public Safety Facility was selected to provide adequate street access for both the Fire and Police Department, as well as to create a campus-type relationship with the existing Town Hall. This site was selected as a result of an in depth study of multiple site possibilities.
The coastal climate and potential for severe weather conditions required that the building be elevated above flood level, with the exception of the Apparatus Bays. The main floor of the facility, therefore, stands on piers at 20’-0” above sea level. The 3 apparatus bays, storage, and decontamination spaces are located on ground level in breakaway enclosures to prevent damage to the structure during storm surge.
The Fire Department is equipped with three double-stacked, drive-through bays, integrated training platforms and facilities, administrative space, ten individual sleep rooms and additional facilities necessary for full-time operation.
The Police Department contains ample space for administrative work, investigations, records and evidence storage, patrol operations and holding facilities which are accessed via a secure elevator. The departments share a large training room and conference room, which is centrally located.
A wrap-around porch, low roof pitch, and deep overhangs tie the building to the surrounding architecture setting a precedent for future development within the Town Municipal Complex.