Design and Construction Report staff writer
Construction on the Sanford Municipal Center expansion is scheduled to begin this week, as the North Carolina city moves forward on a 17-month project valued at $27.7 million.
Third Street will be closed between Weatherspoon Street and the dead end east of the municipal center. Access will be limited to construction equipment and authorized vehicles, and sidewalks around the municipal center in that area will also be closed for the duration of construction, city officials said.
The project carries a guaranteed maximum price of $27.7 million and will be funded through utility and general fund bonds issued by the city in October 2025.
Edifice Construction is serving as construction manager, with ADW Architects leading design of the expansion.
The project includes construction of a new municipal building totaling approximately 33,500 square feet. About 29,000 square feet will be completed at opening, with roughly 4,200 square feet reserved as shell space for future expansion. A second-floor bridge connector will link the new building to the existing municipal center.
City officials said the expansion will allow Sanford to consolidate customer service functions and increase accessible public parking at the municipal complex.
Once completed, the expanded campus will include a linear park, a splash pad and a greenway connecting to the planned Sanford Central Green. Additional amenities include a half-mile greenway and multi-use path, recreation and community gathering spaces, a splash pad with a dedicated restroom and pump and filtration building, and new seating and landscaping for the Armed Forces Memorial.
Mayor Rebecca Salmon said the project is intended to address space needs while creating a shared civic space for residents and visitors. City council members have identified integration of public amenities and improved connections between the municipal campus and downtown as priorities tied to the Sanford Central Green initiative.
