Princeton council approves $58,800 study for fire‑department headquarters after debate over scope and planning horizon

The Princeton Mayor and Council voted to authorize a $58,800 professional services agreement with Woodward Studios Inc. to develop conceptual designs for a consolidated Princeton Fire Department headquarters.

Mayor Mark Frieda said the study aims to examine longstanding deficiencies at the existing building, including persistent roof leaks and mechanical systems past their expected life. "The roof continues to leak no matter what we've done to it," Frieda said, adding the building was not designed for the six full‑time paid firefighters now working 24‑hour shifts.

Councilmember David urged clarity about the scope after receiving a late memo outlining extensive tasks. "The scope of work seems pretty extensive. It talks about known deficiencies of the existing building in regard to environmental issues, HVAC, electrical," he said, requesting specifics about what the $58,800 will produce.

Council members discussed what the contract would deliver and the appropriate planning horizon. The motion authorizes a conceptual review and recommendations, not construction drawings or bid‑ready plans; Eve clarified that the $58,800 commission will produce conceptual recommendations rather than detailed architectural plans. Frieda said planners limited the horizon to roughly five years because of uncertainty in staffing models and the evolving mix of paid and volunteer personnel. "We just felt that trying to plan out more than five years would be unrealistic," he said, while other members said a longer horizon (10 years) could better support "smart growth" and resilience planning.

Councilmember Michelle, speaking as Fire Commissioner, and other members emphasized operational needs such as sleeping quarters for 24‑hour shifts and retaining volunteers while professionalizing staff. Eve pressed that climate resiliency be considered: "If we're consolidating everything in one spot, we can't afford for this one spot to be flooded, to be cut off," she said, asking that green‑building and resiliency measures be front and center.

The motion to award the professional services agreement was moved by Michelle and seconded by Leticia Fraga; the council approved the contract by voice vote.

Next steps outlined by council and staff include receiving the conceptual report from Woodward Studios and then determining whether to fund subsequent design phases. The resolution authorizing the agreement was listed on the meeting agenda as Resolution 24‑344.