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Council hears details on confined‑space program and $18 million Cherry Street firehouse plan
Summary
Staff proposed expanding confined‑space and high‑angle rescue capability (~$65,000 total) and detailed an $18M design/build plan for a new firehouse; staff said design work will run this year with bids late in the year and construction next year.
City staff described two fire department capital items on the FY27 CIP: a formal confined‑space and high‑angle rescue program (about $65,000 total with ~$32,000 in FY27) and a new Cherry Street firehouse estimated at roughly $18,000,000. Staff said the confined‑space work centralizes specialized rescue under the fire department because the department increasingly responds to incidents beyond just city infrastructure.
When asked why the team is shifting the program into the fire department, the fire chief explained that the hospital and other large local facilities create more confined‑space exposures in the community and that, if the fire department is the response agency, it should be equipped and trained. Councilmember questioning also explored whether the team could bill for confined‑space services in the future as an ongoing funding mechanism.
On the firehouse, staff said early programming and design work are under way, with anticipated design this year and bids late in the year so construction can begin next year. "We could have this fire station paid off in just over 7 years," Ryan said when reviewing a model that applies a majority of projected LOST revenues to repayment. Council directed staff to bring more specific design updates (including a Shive presentation) and to consult bond counsel about financing options.
