$7.8-million fire station reconstruction approved in Costa Mesa
With virtually no discussion, Costa Mesa City Council members voted Tuesday night to award a roughly $7.8-million contract to an Orange-based firm to reconstruct the city fire station on Royal Palm Drive.
On a 4-0 vote, with Mayor Steve Mensinger absent, the council granted the contract to Horizons Construction Co. International to build the new 11,740-square-foot station at Royal Palm and Adams Avenue.
The project also entails demolishing the site’s existing 9,500-square-foot station, known as Fire Station No. 1.
The new station will have a larger fire apparatus bay, 10 firefighter dorm rooms, administrative offices, a kitchen, a dining room, a physical training room, an EMS training room, a mechanic shop area and an emergency medical supply room.
“Fire Station No. 1 has been talked about for decades, and it would not have happened if this council hadn’t stepped in and made a commitment to it,” Fire Chief Dan Stefano said.
City officials say the original facility was built in 1961 and has become increasingly cramped and worn.
Problems with both the structure and foundation have left the building out of compliance with modern codes and standards, according to fire and city officials.
City officials determined it would be more cost-effective to build a new station rather than repair or remodel it.
City spokesman Tony Dodero previously told the Daily Pilot that cash to cover the project’s price will come out of the city general fund.
Construction is expected to start in January and take 12 to 18 months to complete. During that time, the station’s firefighters will operate out of a temporary facility near Adams and Pinecreek Drive.
The interim site is expected to cost about $500,000 and be complete by the end of the year. It will include a shelter for the fire engines, a modular housing trailer and additional storage containers.
The budget includes anticipated costs of fencing the site, building a concrete driveway and installing utilities.
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