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Killeen seeks $810,000 design contract for new Fire Station 5, cites aging 1969 facility and health concerns
Summary
The fire chief asked council to approve a professional-services agreement with Martinez Architects for design of a new Fire Station 5 (design fee $810,000), saying the 1969 station has inadequate bays, lacks privacy and raises diesel-exhaust exposure concerns; staff said construction cost estimates rise monthly.
Fire Chief Kavinsky told the City Council on Feb. 17 that the existing Fire Station 5, built in 1969, has reached the end of its serviceable life and recommended the city approve a professional-services agreement for design and A/E management with Martinez Architects LP in the amount of $810,000.
Chief Kavinsky outlined functional problems at the current station: apparatus bays are sized for older, smaller equipment and limit modern pull-through configurations; living quarters lack privacy and station-officer space; kitchen and day rooms are adjacent to vehicle bays, creating potential exposure to diesel exhaust and carcinogens. "There is really no ability for the firefighters to get some... privacy," he said, and noted bunk-room arrangements reflected the station’s 1969 design.
FY 2026 CIP includes funding (council previously approved $9 million total) for design and construction of the new station; staff said Martinez Architects was selected from an RFQ process. Chief Kavinsky recommended starting design work while the city completes land acquisition (purchase from KISD of the former Bel Air Elementary School site), noting design progress will keep the project on schedule and mitigate monthly increases in construction and materials costs (staff estimated cost increases of approximately 0.25–0.5% per month based on recent experience).
Council expressed support for the design authorization and praised fire personnel and staff for progress on the project. The design-agreement recommendation appeared on the meeting’s consent agenda and was approved as part of the consent package.
