Veterans, residents press council over proposed downtown fire station, citing historic veterans land

Scores of veterans and longtime residents urged the Brentwood City Council on Feb. 11 to halt plans for a downtown fire station and to protect the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building and its surrounding land, which speakers said was purchased and dedicated for veterans more than a century ago.

“I’m here to tell you that, yes, we believe that we do need a fire department. We’re not against the fire department. We’re just against the location,” said Daniel Duran, commander of American Legion Post 202, during public comment.

The veterans’ group and allied speakers told the council the parcel was purchased with a special levy and dedicated for veterans’ use and argued that county actions transferring portions of the parcel to the fire district violate that dedication. “California Military Veterans Code 1266 prevents the county from taking veterans’ land unless it has been abandoned,” said Mike Jockovich, junior vice commander of VFW Post 10789.

Speakers described multiple practical concerns they expect from a fire station on First Street: loss of space used for the farmers market and parades, reduced downtown parking for customers and event attendees, and traffic conflicts that could impede emergency vehicle movement. “When you look at where the location of that is, it makes no sense,” said Paul Radliff of the Sons of the American Legion, describing what he said were tight turns for ladder trucks in the downtown grid.

Other speakers emphasized the building’s role as a veteran-serving community hub, saying construction and construction noise could disrupt veterans who use the hall for counseling and peer support. “Many of the individuals who visit the center are seeking a peaceful, supportive environment to manage issues such as PTSD,” said Marcus Robolito, a U.S. Army veteran and member of American Legion Post 202.

Veteran speakers asked the city to block any permits and to work with the county to find an alternative site. “We support the fire station, but it’s not in the right location,” Jockovich said.

Council business that evening included an item to declare city-owned real property at 3900 Sellers Avenue as surplus. Council members voted to pull that item and send it to closed session for further review. At the start of the meeting the council recessed into closed session and later reconvened, saying there was “nothing to report” from that closed session.

Mayor Melissa Meyer and several council members thanked public speakers for their comments and said staff would meet with veterans and other stakeholders. Council Member Ovita Mendoza said she would attend meetings the veterans requested and that she had already met with some veterans to hear concerns.

The county and the East Contra Costa Fire District assert a public-safety interest in restoring and expanding fire services in Brentwood; Deputy Fire Chief Aaron McAllister (Contra Costa County Fire) told the council earlier in the evening the county has a completed planning application and expects a Planning Commission hearing next month. McAllister said the proposal would put one two-story crew station downtown with a single engine crew and that apparatus and personnel are being readied.

For now the council left several items to additional review. Speakers pressed the city to use the permitting process to protect the veterans’ dedication and asked the council to seek clarity from county records about the land transfers. A number of speakers urged the council to consider converting the parcel into a formal veterans park as an alternative to construction.

The council did not take a final vote to approve construction of the station at the Feb. 11 meeting; veterans and others asked the council to block permitting or require additional study before building proceeds.