A New Future For Cabarrus County DSS
There has been much speculation and questions surrounding Cabarrus County’s recent purchase of the ACN campus to serve as a new home for the County’s Department of Social Services. Today, we’re quickly breaking down the facts behind the decision, the cost, and how the County determined it was the most responsible choice for taxpayers.
Cabarrus County’s decision to purchase the ACN campus wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. It resulted from years of research, planning, and financial analysis to find the most cost-effective and sustainable solution for housing the Department of Social Services (DSS) and a planned regional Behavioral Health Center.
A New Home Was Needed
Some have questioned whether this was a needed investment, and others have asked whether the County overpaid. To understand why this decision was made, it’s important to look at the full picture, from the rising costs of the current DSS facility to the financial reality of building a new one. Here’s a clear look at how the County reached this decision and why, in the long run, they determined it was the best move for taxpayers and the future of public services in Cabarrus County.
For years, Cabarrus County DSS has operated out of a former Kmart building—a space that wasn’t built for the services it provides. The County doesn’t own it but is still responsible for maintenance, and costs keep going up. It became clear: DSS needed a permanent home.
Renovations vs. Building A New Facility
County leaders spent years looking at 10 different properties. Some had environmental problems, others would be too expensive to prepare for construction, and none truly fit the needs of DSS. The only site that could work for a brand-new building had steep land, drainage issues, and an unmaintained road, driving the cost to $85–$140 million.
That’s when it became clear the ACN campus was the best option. The County negotiated a price of $42 million, far less than building from scratch. Even with $20 million in planned renovations over 10 years, it was still less than half the cost of new construction.
But this isn’t just about cost – it’s about what this means for residents.
With this new space, DSS will be able to serve more people more efficiently in a better location. The facility is modern, safe, and better suited to helping families, children, and those in crisis. There’s also room for a state-supported Behavioral Health Center, meaning residents will have faster, easier access to mental health services—right in the same place.
Some have asked about the appraisal value. A market appraisal, based on what a private company might pay, came in at $23.8 million. However, looking at how much it would cost to build the same facility today, a second appraisal came in at $54.1 million. The average of both was $38.9 million, close to the purchase price. The County even asked the seller for a lower price, but they declined, citing existing lease agreements that added value to the property.
It Just Makes Sense
In the end, the choice was clear:
- Buying ACN was far cheaper than building new
- DSS gets a permanent home instead of renting an aging building
- The location is central and easier to access for residents
- More services can be offered under one roof, including mental health care
Neither spending $140 million on a new facility nor continuing to lease a building that was only getting more expensive to maintain, was a fair move for taxpayers. Now, the County can expand and enhance social and behavioral services for residents – for years to come.
