Study: converting existing station to joint police-fire facility would add major cost, East Pierce to build separately

Summary

A feasibility review found combining police and fire operations at the city'owned station would require extensive additions and structural upgrades, leading East Pierce Fire & Rescue to pursue construction on its own property while continuing operations at the current site until its new station is complete.

A consultant-led feasibility review presented March 10 found that converting the city'owned station into a combined police and fire public safety facility would require adding more than half again the building's square footage and large structural upgrades, and is therefore not the most economical path forward for either the City of Milton or East Pierce Fire & Rescue.

The finding came during the City of Milton study session when John Parkinson, fire chief of East Pierce Fire & Rescue, and Gunnar Gladix of Rice Fergus Miller summarized the team's yearlong evaluation of space needs and site constraints. "If you're adding more than 50% of the square footage to an existing building, that would make you wanna pause," Gladix told council. He said a two'story option for the building across the street would have grown a roughly 5,900'square'foot structure to about 15,800 square feet, or a 63% increase, requiring major structural, mechanical and seismic upgrades.

The study also tested a one'story expansion and stand'alone police and fire solutions. Gladix said a one'story joint option would…

Study: converting existing station to joint police-fire facility would add major cost, East Pierce to build separately

Summary

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