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Fire Station 3 feasibility review finds existing building cannot support modern replacement on-site; city acquired adjacent parcel for relocation
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Summary
Staff and BKB architects told council the existing Fire Station 3 structure cannot be salvaged or expanded to meet modern operational and cancer‑risk reduction standards. Test-fits and site evaluation led to acquisition of an adjacent George Mason Foundation parcel; concept designs and program validation are underway with preliminary design completion targeted in June.
The city’s fire department and the architect team presented a feasibility update for Fire Station 3 during the April 22 work session, concluding the existing multistory building is not suitable for a state‑of‑the‑art replacement on the same narrow parcel.
What the consultants said: BKB Architect Group reported a functional assessment of the existing Station 3 building that found structural and program limitations that preclude cost-effective renovation or expansion. Test fits on the existing site showed narrow dimensions and operational constraints that would require temporary relocation and higher costs. As a result, the project team evaluated alternate sites and scored candidates using GIS and response‑time modeling; the city subsequently acquired the adjacent George Mason Foundation parcel to enable a replacement facility closer to the station’s service area.
Program and schedule: The replacement program anticipates a five-bay drive-through apparatus bay, gear decontamination spaces, individual bunkrooms for fatigue reduction, and modern support and workspaces. Staff described a design schedule that will move to preliminary concept designs, updated cost estimates and community review, with design milestones through June and further design development planned thereafter.
Costs and next steps: The CIP line shown in earlier materials reflected a rough estimate based on comparable station costs; staff said preliminary cost figures will be refined when concept designs are complete. Council asked about ALTA surveys, appropriation timing, and how debt would be issued; finance staff explained capital planning and level‑funding approaches for multi-year projects and the need to formally appropriate funds before bid and award.
Provenance: the station presentation and Q&A were delivered during the work session between council and fire department staff and architects.
