Mecklenburg County MEDIC Headquarters

The $48 million MEDIC Mecklenburg Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency Headquarters covers more than 187,000 square feet. Built in response to unprecedented population growth throughout Mecklenburg County, the facility can more effectively respond to record-high service demands. At the heart of its design is a seamless blend of aesthetic and functional improvements that addressed major construction challenges and will support expanded EMS service for years to come.

Key challenges posed on the 20-acre site included the need for additional right-of-way, railroad coordination, maintaining access points for emergency response vehicles, accounting for unmapped utilities and enhancing facility security.

As part of the overall design team, Benesch played a key role in navigating the land acquisition and railroad coordination processes that allowed for further expansion of the existing site. To address non-documented underground utilities as they were encountered in the field, the team provided the required design changes rapidly to avoid further delays to construction activities.

Benesch’s landscape architects provided sustainable site improvements, including low-maintenance native plant species. Additionally, they worked with a national artist to design outdoor spaces that enliven the streetscape and provide extra security for the building.

Completed on time and within budget, the new headquarters will contribute to key economic growth in the area over the next 10 to 20 years, servicing the greater Charlotte community with ever-more efficient and adaptive response times.