Newark seeks initial $3.5M for planning of two fire-station rebuilds citing life-safety needs
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Summary
Staff requested $3.5 million for preliminary planning work on two city-owned fire stations (Nos. 27 and 29), citing life-safety deficiencies including lack of backup generators and required seismic upgrades; total delivery is estimated at four to five years and will require interim facilities and interagency coordination.
City staff asked the council during an Oct. 31 workshop to fund preliminary planning for two city-owned fire stations identified in the facilities master plan as high priorities for replacement or major renovation.
Mickey Sabota, city engineer, said the facilities master-plan update identified operational and life-safety deficiencies at Fire Station 27 (Cherry and Mowery avenues) and Fire Station 29 (Russian Drive at Newark Boulevard). Although the stations are operated by the Alameda County Fire Department, the city owns and maintains the buildings and is responsible for facility upgrades. Sabota listed code-compliance, ADA access, drainage and security deficiencies and said the two standout issues are the lack of adequate backup generators and the need for seismic upgrades.
Staff requested approximately $3.5 million to cover preliminary planning activities, including site and soils assessments, environmental reviews and options analysis. Sabota said the projects carry substantial uncertainty now because of unknown site conditions and potential contamination; that uncertainty, combined with the need to identify interim accommodations for crews and apparatus during construction, led staff to estimate a four-to-five-year timeline from preliminary planning through completion.
Councilmembers and staff discussed collaborating with Alameda County Fire Department design work and a consultant named MAC5; staff said the city will attempt to replicate design efficiencies from nearby Castro Valley projects where appropriate to reduce time and cost. Sabota said the city has engaged MAC5 to analyze the two stations and will coordinate with the fire district to avoid repeating issues other jurisdictions have encountered.
No formal action was taken at the workshop; staff will incorporate feedback into the CIP amendment and return to the council with formal appropriation requests for subsequent phases as warranted.
