Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Station T2 Remodel topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Tumwater hears plan to expand Station T2 — third bay, eight dorm rooms and higher cost estimate
Summary
City staff presented a schematic to expand Fire Station T2 with eight individual dorms, a third apparatus bay and upgraded mechanical systems; planning‑level cost estimates rose to roughly $7.6–7.9 million and staff said they will return with design authorization and financing options.
The Tumwater City Council heard a presentation on a proposed remodel and expansion of Fire Station T2 that would add eight individual dorm rooms, four bathroom/locker rooms, an expanded day room and a third apparatus bay to support an aid or battalion unit.
The fire chief, speaking to the council, said the building opened in 1995 and now requires mechanical upgrades. "It's just over $5,000,000 for construction costs," the chief said, adding that soft costs (permits, fees and taxes) increase the planning estimate to about $7.6–$7.9 million depending on alternates and scope.
The project would reconfigure the existing footprint and add roughly 3,000 square feet of new space, including a south addition for sleeping rooms and a top addition for a third apparatus bay. Staff said the third bay is intended primarily for an aid unit or battalion staffing so the city can run EMS units more efficiently in the north end as call volumes rise. An operations speaker said having an aid unit there "would save on wear and tear of the apparatus" and could be staffed immediately if the bay existed today.
Staff described phasing that begins with site work and temporary housing followed by full construction. Facilities manager Chris (mentioned in the presentation) identified an area on site as a candidate location for a temporary mobile housing unit during construction. The chief said approximately $200,000 remaining from a prior agreement with Thurston County Medic 1 is intended to help purchase temporary housing; the original Medic 1 negotiation provided $475,000, some of which was used for salaries and training and is not available for re‑negotiation.
Troy, the finance director, outlined financing scenarios. "If we went out [for a general obligation bond] for a 10 year term, annual debt payments would be about $943,000; if we did a 20 year term and stretched it out, estimated debt payments would be $593,000," he said, noting longer terms lower annual payments but increase total interest. Staff also noted the capital facilities plan previously included $5,250,000 for the project and the current FY placeholder is $1,250,000.
Council members pressed staff on timing, tree replacement where the driveway would be relocated, the project’s proximity to sidewalks and whether the city would be adding or replacing apparatus. Staff said a new engine is on order to replace an existing unit in September 2026 and the third bay is not intended to increase the permanent number of fire engines but to provide space for an aid unit when staffing allows.
Next steps: staff said they will seek council authorization for design services with the architect, coordinate required frontage and laydown work with transportation engineering, return with a financing plan for council action and proceed to bidding. The council did not take a final funding vote on the project at this meeting.
