The Town would like to share an update on the Public Safety Building following discussions at the Annual Retreat in February, where Mayor Thibodeau explained that the draft lease with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) originally included a cash payment. However, the approved USACE lease framework only allows for an “in-kind” exchange (services or goods instead of money). Under North Carolina law, the Town is not allowed to enter into this type of agreement.
Since then, the Town has reached out to upper- level federal leadership and recently received a response from the USACE. Federal officials understand the Town’s situation and agree on the importance of maintaining public safety services. They also recognize that an in-kind agreement will not work and are now considering a 50- year standard lease option instead.
To keep the community informed, we have created a dedicated website with updates about the Public Safety Building. The site includes a project timeline, background information, and an FAQ section.
This issue affects more than just the Town of Duck. The Public Safety Building plays an important role in emergency response services for both Currituck and Dare counties, making it a regional priority.
The Town remains committed to working to ensure there is no interruption to public safety services and appreciates the community’s support.
Visit https://ducknc.gov/publicsafetybuilding/ for more information.