Fairfax Fire
Station 21
Upgrades
Fairfax Town Council
September 4, 2024
Context/Background
• Station 18 in Town of Ross will close by July 1, 2025 and one additional fire fighter will move to Station 21 in Fairfax, resulting in the recommended 3 fire fighters per engine • San Anselmo is also receiving additional fire fighters and upgrading Station 20
• Fairfax is responsible for Station 21 facility and has committed to upgrades to accommodate the 3rd fire fighter • Current Station 21 is outdated and has not been upgraded since its construction in 1970s
• Current location is subject to flooding
• Other locations were under preliminary considerations including BofA location (recently sold to private owner) and other sites
• Fairfax currently spends $15K annually on maintenance that is largely handled by RVFD
• 2005 flood damage cost $337,000 and took approximately 6 months to repair
Option 1 – Comprehensive Remodel
• Scope: Remodel the upstairs to include an additional dorm room and bathroom and upgrade the kitchen. The downstairs may also require upgrades to meet code requirements.
• Additional Requirements - An outside plan check review was completed and additional requirements such as a 1-hour fire wall separation, seismic retrofitting and ADA accessibility may also be required.
• Cost Estimate: Approximately $1.5 million, including design, construction, and temporary housing for firefighters.
• Upstairs - $640,783 (May 2023) 5% cost escalator equals $672,822 • Downstairs - $82,000 (May 2023) 5% cost escalator equals $86,100 • Additional Requirements - Unknown costs (Coastland, temp housing) approximately $740,000
• Pros: Provides a long-term solution, modernizes the facility. • Cons: High cost, may delay any future relocation of the station out of the floodplain.
Option 2 – Value Engineered Remodel
• Scope: Build a separate dorm area in the Emergency
Operations Center (EOC) room, with bathroom and kitchen upgrades.
• Cost Estimate: Requires additional value engineering to determine final costs; expected to be lower than Option 1. • Pros: Moderate cost, extends the service life of Station 21. • Cons: Does not address all building deficiencies or flood risk.
Option 3 – Minimal Remodel
• Scope: Divide the current dorm space into 2 separate dorms, remodel the bathroom and kitchen as budget allows.
• Cost Estimate: Likely to fit within the original budget allocation of $210,000 and was what was discussed in the JPA Third Amendment language.
• Pros: Quickest and least expensive option, meets the
immediate need.
• Cons: Short-term solution that may not satisfy firefighters’ needs or expectations and does not resolve long-term
building concerns.
Questions and
Comments from
the Council