Title
Gainesville Fire Rescue Station 1 Replacement Project (B)
This item involves a request that the City Commission authorize the City Manager to execute purchase agreements for two parcels of land and a lease agreement for one of the parcels to allow for construction of the Gainesville Fire Rescue Station 1 Replacement Project.
Explanation
Gainesville Fire Rescue Station 1, at 427 S. Main Street, was constructed in 1961 and has had few renovations in the past. The quality and durability of the building have deteriorated during those 52 years. Additionally, construction standards have been upgraded to ensure survivability from natural disasters since its construction. The useful life of a new facility constructed with current standards could exceed 50 years. The new Fire Station 1 should also be built with the capability of addressing the increasing service needs of Innovation Square as new development occurs with current plans calling for 5.5 million square feet. In the FY13-17 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), the City Commission authorized the expenditure of funds in FY13 for the design and land acquisition to construct a replacement for Fire Station 1.
Staff contacted the owners of the parcels adjacent to the current Fire Station 1 in an attempt to expand the station. The adjacent parcels currently house functioning businesses which were recently renovated. The owners of the adjacent parcels quoted three to four million dollars to acquire the parcels and relocate the businesses. This option would require the current station to be demolished and the need to establish a temporary station at additional cost or create a gap in fire coverage resulting in an overload on other fire stations.
Staff has negotiated with the owners of tax parcel 13038-000-000, David Mathia, and tax parcel 13040-000-000, Peter Theoktisto, to acquire both parcels. The two parcels are located south of the existing Fire Station 1 and offer fifty percent more buildable space. ...
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