Plans to build a larger fire station in San Mateo may be downsizing following the numerous natural disasters across the nation bumping up construction costs.
The city has been planning to replace its outdated Station 25 and initially sought a larger design that could accommodate future growth for the next 50 years. But construction costs have ratcheted up to nearly $1,072 a square foot, up from $680 a square foot when they first began planning a year or so ago, said Fire Chief John Healy.
“With the global economy and disasters in the world, the cost of construction outweighed our ability to build that larger building,” Healy said, later adding the station near the busy State Route 92 serves an important role. “This station being located in the center of the city is a very important part of the overall response because it can go north, south, east and west easily. And it will maintain the response times our citizens have become accustomed to and expect. So it’s a very important part of our fire delivery service to the community.”
A decision on the building’s size is ultimately up to the City Council, which meets Monday, Nov. 3, to review preliminary options that include an 8,920-square-foot facility estimated to cost $9.1 million, or a more modest 4,493-square-foot station with a $6.2 million price tag, according to a staff report.
Either way, the new fire station is needed to replace the current outdated facility that doesn’t meet modern seismic standards or safety codes, Healy said.
Built in 1954, a quick drive past 545 Barneson Ave. would lead many to believe it’s just a single-family home occupying the small lot. But it’s actually Station 25, a small one-bedroom, one-bathroom facility where an engine company and its three firefighters stay.
There are numerous drawbacks to the existing building prompting officials to consider developing a new station just down the street, Healy said.
The city owns undeveloped parkland along a stretch of the block where Borel Middle School is located. Less than two blocks away from the current station, the city hopes to build a new facility and make improvements to the neighborhood park at the corner of Shafter Street and Barneson Avenue, Healy said.
“We could put it there and equally serve the community,” Healy said, noting response times would be maintained. “For the neighborhood, we’ve got a new park and the fire station stays in the same neighborhood.”
Seismic upgrades, a drive-thru bay so the fire engine isn’t forced to back into the station, and gender-friendly accommodations are a few of the much-needed improvements that would be part of a new station, Healy said.
The smaller option will be somewhat similar in size to the current station, but provide the much-needed updates, he said. Depending on which option the council points toward, city staff would continue to work with an architect to refine the preliminary design. The plan is to find a balance between fitting in with the neighbors while also having the architecture denote it is indeed a fire station, Healy said.
“It’s about blending into the neighborhood. The existing station looks like a house and we want this one to look as close enough to a house for the neighborhood, but also like a fire station so people know there’s an emergency response team there,” Healy said.
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The council could then decide what to do with the existing station, and could sell it while using the proceeds to contribute toward the neighborhood park improvements estimated to cost between $800,000 and $1.1 million. Initially, the city’s budget for a new station was about $5.5 million but has steadily risen as the market for construction has increased, Healy said.
Between hurricanes whipping Texas and Florida, as well as the deadly fires in the North Bay, Healy said the increased demand for construction may affect what the city can afford to build.
San Mateo has been improving its emergency response facilities following voters approving Measure C in the late 1990s. That allows for about 2 percent of the transient-occupancy tax San Mateo collects from hotels to be specifically allocated toward rebuilding or remodeling police and fire facilities, Healy said.
Thus far, San Mateo has constructed a new police station, remodeled fire Station 21, and rebuilt fire stations 23, 24 and 26. After creating a new Station 25, the city may look to make less significant upgrades to Station 27, Healy said.
Monday’s council direction will allow staff to proceed with a pre-application and initiate the formal planning process. Like any other development in the city, the same community outreach and public hearing process will unfold for the new fire station, Healy said.
Also on Monday, both Foster City and San Mateo officials will be asked to formally approve joining forces with Belmont to create a new fire department. The three cities have been working on a joint powers agreement that will involve dissolving their respective departments in place of the new San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department.
The three cities already share administration services, training and fire prevention services. The new JPA would formalize the agreement, with each city maintaining its respective fire stations but having all of the firefighters working for one entity.
It’s been a yearslong process and, on Monday, both Foster City’s and San Mateo’s councils will meet during their regular meetings to vote. Belmont will vote Tuesday, Nov. 14. Each city will chose one councilmember to represent their jurisdiction on the new JPA Board of Directors. Both the cost and votes will be weighted with San Mateo at 60 percent, and Foster City as well as Belmont each at 20 percent based on population and current service levels.
San Mateo meets 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7 at City Hall, 330 W. 20th Ave. Visit cityofsanmateo.org for more information.
(650) 344-5200 ext. 106
Twitter: @samantha_weigel
(1) comment
Chief John Healey keeps getting better and better..We are 3 cities lucky to have him lead us. He explained to me when I questioned the tillers at 21 and 23 he needed room for the crews and engines. None of the other stations had that room but 21 and 23. He and his BC's pulled up chairs brought a map of the tri cities area and explained to us the logistics of these two stations. He and his Administrators are doing an awesome job. He should . After all my husband Captain Tom Ball taught him everything he knows when John was first hired and Tom trained him in Hillsborough! HA!
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