Olathe approves replacement of Fire Station 4; design, temporary coverage plans discussed
Loading...
Summary
Council approved related contracts and moved forward with a plan to replace Fire Station 4. Officials said the 1971 building is functionally outdated; construction will require relocating units temporarily and aims for about a 12-month build once construction starts.
The Olathe City Council on Oct. 21 approved contracts and a resolution authorizing the replacement of Fire Station 4, located near Santa Fe and Merlin, after a presentation from Fire Chief Jeff DeGraffini.
DeGraffini said Station 4, built in 1971, has been altered repeatedly and no longer meets modern service needs or apparatus sizes. The proposed project will demolish the existing building and construct a new neighborhood fire station; the site is too constrained for temporary on-site staffing during construction, so department units will be covered from adjacent stations while work proceeds.
"It is staffed with an engine and a squad. Both are 24 hours a day," DeGraffini said. "It is one of our busiest stations. The engine that works there is one of the first three units on all of our most critical calls." He told the council the design team is ready to begin and the city expects to bring guaranteed maximum price (GMP) figures to council next August, with construction anticipated to start in the fall of 2026 and a roughly 12-month build.
Deputy director of infrastructure Zach Hardy introduced Laura Gagliano as the city's new senior project manager, who will manage the station project if approved. DeGraffini said the design team (Finkle Williams) is familiar with the department's needs and will produce a station similar in function to recently built Station 9.
The council approved item J (resolution to authorize the replacement project, PN6 C-22-25) and related items J, K and L together by roll call, 7-0. Council discussion emphasized maintaining response coverage during construction and coordinated public communications as Santa Fe corridor projects proceed.
Why it matters: Replacing the aging, undersized station is intended to improve response times, accommodate modern apparatus and meet contemporary firefighter health and safety standards.
What’s next: Staff will move into design, return with GMP in August, and begin construction in late 2026 if schedules hold.
Ending: Officials said overlapping coverage from neighboring stations and active use of a live-demand modeling tool will guide temporary relocations during construction to maintain emergency response levels.
