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Commission approves demolition agreement for Fire Station 22; $12 million rebuild remains planned
Summary
The City Commission authorized negotiation of a demolition contract for Fire Station 22 after officials said the existing station fails essential‑facility standards and cannot be reliably upgraded; demolition was approved by roll call vote.
St. Pete Beach — The City Commission on Tuesday authorized the city manager to negotiate a demolition agreement for Fire Station 22, clearing the way for removal of the existing station as city officials pursue a replacement they estimate could cost about $12 million.
Fire Chief and other staff said the 1972‑era station is an "essential facility" that must remain occupiable after a major storm and that retrofitting the existing structure would require extensive work on the roof, walls and foundation to meet current wind and flood standards. "With an essential facility, not only do we have to protect life, but we have to make that facility occupiable after a disaster," the fire chief told commissioners.
Why it matters: Station 22 has been out of regular service since recent storms and the city is seeking to restore reliable emergency coverage for the neighborhood. Officials said grants and funding contingent on a new station — including a $2 million allocation from a state representative and a previously awarded generator grant — could be lost if the city does not move to replace the facility.
Chiefs and staff described structural limitations: low bay heights that cannot accommodate modern apparatus, roof and wind-resistance concerns raised in earlier engineering reviews, and potential scour risks to the station foundation. Staff said that, in addition to demolition, the city will pursue local, state and federal funding and noted that a South Pasadena station built to higher standards after a prior storm cost about $10 million, with differences in site scope and a public-private partnership element.
Commission debate focused on cost, timing and lost funding opportunities. The chief said the city has roughly $2 million already allocated toward the project through a representative's appropriation and a generator grant, and warned that the city could lose those funds if it did not commit to a plan. Several commissioners said the price tag was large but noted that delays could push the cost higher.
The commission voted to adopt the resolution authorizing the city manager to negotiate a demolition contract with PAW Materials d/b/a PAW Demolition. Roll-call votes recorded five yes votes and the motion carried.
Speakers quoted in this article spoke during the Feb. 25 City Commission meeting in St. Pete Beach.
