Following emergency medical services (EMS) system studies by Fitch & Associates identifying countywide service gaps, Wayne County advanced a coordinated program establishing four new County-run EMS facilities (Lyons, Sodus, Rose, Walworth) to improve response times and public health outcomes. The Lyons location on the existing County campus serves as EMS headquarters, while a standardized architectural/organizational prototype was replicated across the three substations, ensuring consistent functionality, streamlined maintenance, and unified civic presence.

Serving the County’s north quadrant, the single-story, 5,577-square-foot Sodus substation features three ambulance bays; decontamination, support, administrative, and charting areas; and living quarters organized around an open kitchen/lounge. Gender-neutral facilities, a quiet room, and fitness space support an inclusive, health-focused staffing model. Large windows and an outdoor patio provide daylight and restorative views, helping first responders recover between calls. Exterior materials blend with the forested setting, while structural insulated roof panels and high-efficiency mechanical systems enhance thermal/energy performance.

Site planning was defined by significant environmental constraints. Early wetland delineation revealed approximately 70% of the 4.7-acre parcel lies within an interconnected NYSDEC- and USACE-regulated wetland system, with 100-foot buffer zones leaving little developable land. The building and access drive were positioned within the limited non-wetland area, keeping impacts under 0.1 acre. Mitigation improved on-site wetlands through invasive species removal and native plantings.

A 16-foot elevation drop from Route 88 required strategically placed retaining walls and a raised building floor for flood protection. Stormwater is managed through a bioretention pond discharging to upper wetlands. The site and nearby state roads lacked municipal sanitary sewer and water service. New water lines were directionally drilled beneath roadways to minimize surface disturbance. A new sanitary sewer force main extended Village service to the site, eliminating the need for on site septic treatment and a holding tank for ambulance bay wash runoff, further reducing environmental impact.