Title
Design and Construction of Fire Station 1 (B)
This item recommends that the City Commission review and approve the preliminary design for Fire Station 1 at 525 South Main Street and authorize the development of construction drawings. **ESTIMATED STAFF PRESENTATION 15 MINUTES**
Explanation
The existing Station 1 at 427 South Main was constructed in 1961, relocating the Station from SE 1st Street near the Post Office (current Hippodrome). The Station has been remodeled and renovated on several occasions during its 54 years of continuous emergency service.
Gainesville Fire Rescue has greatly expanded into an all-hazards response agency. Station 1 currently houses Engine, Ladder and Squad Companies, a District Chief, and part-time radio, and supply technicians. The regional Task-Force 8 Urban Search and Rescue team trains and deploys from this location.
Current construction standards would ensure survivability from natural disasters and provide the capacity to meet the increased service demand from the anticipated growth and vertical expansion of downtown, UF’s innovation campus, and the surrounding areas. The useful life of a new facility constructed with current standards could exceed 50 years.
A capital request submitted in FY 2010 received approval to start the project with $6 million in FY 2015. A later modification advanced 10% for design and funding for land acquisition of $1.2 million was added from SAFER Grant savings in FY 2013.
On August 15, 2013, the City Commission authorized the purchase of properties located in the 500 block of South Main Street for the purposes of constructing a new facility for Fire Station 1.
On June 5, 2014, the Commission approved the ranking for design services for Fire Station 1 and, on February 5, 2015, approved the ranking of firms for Construction Management at Risk.
Neighborhood and stakeholder meetings were held at the beginning of the project and to review the preliminary design. Key consideratio...
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