Fire Department
Fire Station Renovation and Improvements Project
RENOVATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS
RENOVATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS
This project answers the challenges brought about by generations of growth and will increase the performance and effectiveness of public safety services.
Middletown has been actively working on upgrading the town’s public safety infrastructure since 2005.
A comprehensive feasibility study by Lawrence Associates in 2006 produced a professional needs assessment of both the police and fire departments. It also provided the Town with a number of options to meet current needs and correct the numerous deficiencies of both agencies facilities.
It was determined that the update of public safety facilities would be done in phases. Middletown moved forward on the first stage of this plan by building a new Police Department Headquarters on Valley Road. The Lawrence Associates provided the architectural services on this project which was completed on time and on budget in 2010.
After the successful completion of the Police Department facility, focus was shifted to upgrading the Fire Department facility. A Fire Station Siting Assessment by Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) was completed in April of 2012. This report confirmed that stations current location offers the best overall coverage based upon the Town’s current circumstances. The basic fire station design concept from the 2006 Lawrence Associates study was recently updated to optimize the best use of the existing building. This improved design will also eliminate deficiencies that exist in the current Public Works complex.
To ensure that an accurate budget estimate would be determined for this project, two independent project cost estimates were sought. The November fire station bond referendum request of $7,500,000 was considered conservative. As with the Police Station project which had the authority to borrow up to $8,000,000 but was completed for a total of $6,000,000 we anticipate completing this project below the conservative budget estimate.
A comprehensive feasibility study by Lawrence Associates in 2006 produced a professional needs assessment of both the police and fire departments. It also provided the Town with a number of options to meet current needs and correct the numerous deficiencies of both agencies facilities.
It was determined that the update of public safety facilities would be done in phases. Middletown moved forward on the first stage of this plan by building a new Police Department Headquarters on Valley Road. The Lawrence Associates provided the architectural services on this project which was completed on time and on budget in 2010.
After the successful completion of the Police Department facility, focus was shifted to upgrading the Fire Department facility. A Fire Station Siting Assessment by Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) was completed in April of 2012. This report confirmed that stations current location offers the best overall coverage based upon the Town’s current circumstances. The basic fire station design concept from the 2006 Lawrence Associates study was recently updated to optimize the best use of the existing building. This improved design will also eliminate deficiencies that exist in the current Public Works complex.
To ensure that an accurate budget estimate would be determined for this project, two independent project cost estimates were sought. The November fire station bond referendum request of $7,500,000 was considered conservative. As with the Police Station project which had the authority to borrow up to $8,000,000 but was completed for a total of $6,000,000 we anticipate completing this project below the conservative budget estimate.
Prior studies that have examined Middletown’s need for fire protection and emergency medical services have recognized that the current facility is inadequate. This fire station construction project will provide this community and its firefighters a safer, more efficient and effective resource for many years to come.
Since November 6th, when the voters approved the bond to finance this project, the Middletown Town Council has awarded the project final design contract to the Lawrence Associates.
