The decision comes as the town looks to expand operations at Station 3, a larger facility that officials say could serve as a more effective hub for the fire department.
The discussion drew a packed crowd at a Town Council meeting, where longtime firefighters urged leaders to preserve the legacy of Station No. 1 in downtown Apex. For former firefighter Roy Moore, the station holds decades of memories.
"Oh man, the ramp squad at night, just the interaction with the public people seeing you talking to you showing off the fire trucks," Moore said.
Moore was among those who spoke in support of maintaining the downtown station's role in the community.
"Well, my comment to that is in New York, in Boston, all these big cities, there's fire stations in these big cities right around the corners, everywhere. So I think that, um, that is not a livable thing. It's part of downtown Apex. It's what has made Apex Apex," Moore said.
Apex Fire Department Chief Tim Herman said expanding the larger Station 3 facility would better position the department for future operations and improve service distribution across town.
"So emergency operations, that is not a good spot to operate out of. And also, when we look at fire station distribution throughout our whole town, operating two stations within 7/10 of a mile is not ideal. So this realignment of that fire engine from downtown to Hunter Street, it really improves our overall fire station distribution," Herman said.
While the long-term operational role of the downtown station remains uncertain, council members approved a research study that will gather public input on the property's future. One proposal under consideration would repurpose the site into a museum or learning center. Herman said concepts being discussed could preserve the appearance of the historic station.
"So, and it would even possibly still look like the fire station. It would be a replica possibly," Herman said.
Officials said no final decisions have been made, and the process will include months of public engagement.
"Yeah. So, I mean, we want to honor that history. And I think coming together with the past firefighters, the current firefighters and the community to talk about what we can put there that will have the legacy live on forever and ever," Herman said.
The study is expected to help shape recommendations for the future of the downtown property while giving residents, current firefighters and former firefighters an opportunity to weigh in on its next chapter.
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