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Study recommends new Belmont main station and north satellite; planning budgets total about $17.25 million
Summary
A site‑agnostic fire station study recommended a new 16,000‑sq‑ft main station (planning budget $10M) and a 9,600‑sq‑ft North Belmont satellite (planning budget $7.25M). Consultants emphasized the existing main station cannot accommodate long‑term growth and outlined acreage and layout options.
Chief Kennedy and consultants from Morrisburg Architects presented a site‑agnostic study recommending a new, modernized headquarters in Belmont (roughly 16,000 square feet) and a smaller North Belmont satellite (around 9,600 square feet).
Consultants said the existing main station (about 6,700 square feet) has significant space and system constraints and cannot reasonably be expanded to meet long‑term operational needs. The proposed Belmont main station program in the study is about 16,000 square feet with a planning‑level project budget of approximately $10,000,000. The North Belmont satellite concept described in the study is about 9,600 square feet with a planning budget of $7,250,000.
Architects presented four layout options (horizontal, L‑shaped, vertical) and multiple conceptual site footprints; they noted typical site needs of approximately 1.5 to 2.5 acres depending on orientation, setbacks and easements. Cost estimates included conservative escalation assumptions (0.5% per month to midpoint of construction) and allowances for fixtures, furnishings, equipment and IT.
Council members asked about alternatives (renovation vs. new construction), land acquisition estimates and whether truck reallocations could address coverage. Consultants said renovation or upward expansion of the existing main station would be infeasible to reach the programmatic needs without excessive cost; staff proposed placeholders of $500,000 each for land acquisition in the capital-planning retreat materials.
Council did not select specific parcels or approve funding at the meeting; staff said the study materials and cost plugs will appear in the upcoming retreat for further direction.
