Valdese officials break ground on public safety building project site

After years of discussion and heavy debates in the last few months, Valdese officials finally broke ground on the site of a new public safety building on Monday.

The $11.5 million building will house both the police and fire stations on 200 Massel Ave. SW next to Valdese Town Hall.

The police and fire departments have both operated out of makeshift stations since 2024, when part of their shared building on 121 Faet St. SW was condemned.

Some of the brick walls in the condemned part of the building have floor-to-ceiling cracks and bow unnaturally. Some floors are also separated from the walls by at least 6 inches.

Last year, the town council had several options to move forward, including renovating the Faet Street building. D. R. Reynolds conducted a study and determined the most feasible option was constructing a new building.

Local Government Commission documents indicate funding for the project totals $11.51 million for construction, engineering, special council, and other costs including contingency funds.

The town will cover $10.8 million with a loan. A $710,000 donation has also been pledged from unidentified industry leaders.

The project cleared its last hurdle at the Aug. 3 Town of Valdese meeting, where the council voted 4-1 to move forward.

Councilwoman Heather Ward was the only dissenting vote.

“My vote … had absolutely nothing to do with my support for the outstanding men and women who serve and protect our town,” Ward said after the meeting. “They deserve a safe, modern facility, and I sincerely appreciate the sacrifices they make every day on behalf of our community.”

Ward said that, as a council member, it is her responsibility to evaluate information, ask hard questions, and be a careful steward of taxpayer dollars.