Encinitas approves temporary Fire Station 1 at Pacific View Arts Center; council allocates $125,000 for utility design

The Encinitas City Council on Feb. 20 approved a plan to temporarily relocate Fire Station 1 to a modular structure on city‑owned land at the Pacific View Arts Center, and adopted a budget amendment to appropriate $125,000 for engineering design of utility connections.

City staff described the action as an emergency response to structural issues identified at the existing Station 1. A seismic evaluation performed after a facilities review found unreinforced masonry and other structural deficiencies that, combined with other code noncompliances, led to the station’s closure on Oct. 8, 2024. Staff said preliminary retrofit estimates to bring the existing station into full code compliance ran into the millions and would not be a short‑term solution.

Chief Gordon (Fire Department) told the council the ground‑penetrating radar and structural evaluation indicated the building was under‑reinforced for its risk category. “The seismic evaluation showed unreinforced masonry that needed to be retrofitted,” the chief said, summarizing the report’s finding that the building “would not withstand an earthquake.” The closure forced engine and crew relocations that increased response times to the western, beach and downtown areas when trains or other delays prevented quick access across the railroad corridor.

Staff and the project subcommittee presented the Pacific View Arts Center site as the most practicable option among alternatives considered (Station 3 staging, moonlight beach lots, existing commercial spaces and other city sites). The proposed temporary facility is a roughly 2,500‑square‑foot modular building configured to provide dormitory bedrooms, dayrooms, offices, laundry and support space and a separate apparatus bay pad; staff said the modular building can be relocated after its temporary use and has residual resale value.

The council approved an emergency coastal development permit pathway to expedite the temporary installation. To make the design estimates accurate before contract procurement, council also authorized a one‑time appropriation of $125,000 to fund design of sewer, water, electrical and IT services from F and Third streets to the Pacific View site. Staff said the allocation covers the engineering required to produce construction‑level drawings and clearer cost estimates.

Public comment included support from Tony Kranz, who said the revised site layout — moving the apparatus bay out of the primary public plaza area and limiting visual disturbance — was preferable to earlier concepts and urged staff to consider revenue uses for the old Station 2 building.

The motion to authorize the temporary relocation, accept the emergency permitting approach and appropriate $125,000 for utility design carried unanimously.

What the council approved • Temporary relocation of Fire Station 1 to a modular facility on the Pacific View Arts Center property (southeast option). • Adoption of a budget amendment to appropriate $125,000 (FY 2024–25) for utility design (sewer, water, electrical, IT) needed to place the temporary facility.

Why it matters • Station 1 had been the busiest of the city’s stations: staff reported 7,693 responses in the last five years and said moving personnel east of the tracks after the closure had measurably increased response times to the downtown and beach areas. The temporary facility aims to restore station coverage while staff assess long‑term options and any needed retrofits or replacements of the closed structure.

Next steps • Staff will complete design documents for utilities, refine construction cost estimates and return with procurement documents and timeline for installation of the modular building. The temporary facility can be removed or repurposed after a permanent solution is implemented.

Speakers quoted in this article are from the meeting record and include only people who spoke on the item: Chief Gordon (Fire), Tony Kranz (public commenter) and relevant council members.