Request for Proposals

Old Fire Station No. 2

1839 Massachusetts Street

Lawrence, KS 66044

Fire Station No. 2, 1839 Massachusetts Street, has been an active fire and medical response station since 1928.  When new Fire Station No. 5 at 19^th and Stewart Avenue is completed in the summer of 2006, this facility will be vacant.  The building will be listed on the Lawrence Register of Historic Places.

The City of Lawrence is entertaining proposals for the long-term public and/or private use of this building.  Proposals must provide the following information:

• Description of the proposed use
• A Business Plan that details the 1) economic resources, financial feasibility, organization and history of the proposing agency/group/individual and 2) how the proposing agency/group/individual will fund the proposed use and day-to-day operation of the use.
• Information related to the use such as parking requirements, any public financial requirements,  compatibility with current area land uses, building needs related to the use and any information that would assist the City Commission in understanding and evaluating the proposal

The City reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to negotiate terms and conditions with applicants.  The City will consider a sale or lease of the facility as the City determines appropriate.

Proposals will be judged as follows:  Proposed Use (40 points); Business Plan (40 points) and Related Information (20 points).  The City Commission is interested in maximizing public and community use, minimizing city costs/funding, compatibility with other uses, a use that is compatible with the historic nature of the building and chances for long term success of the proposed use.

Proposals should be submitted to:

City of Lawrence

Attn:  Old Fire Station No. 2

City Manager’s Office

Fourth Floor, City Hall

6 East 6^th Street

Lawrence, KS 66044

Deadline:        February 17, 2006 – 5:00 p.m.

Contacts: Mike Wildgen, City Manager, 785.832.3401

                        *Mark Bradford, Fire Chief, 785.832.7600

Attachment

*Schedule a site visit by contacting Mark Bradford

Fire Medical Station No. 5

1839 Massachusetts Street

Current Status:

During the April 7, 2004 City Commission study session, the Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical Department briefed the Commission on a request for consideration of adding a new fire station (Station No. 5) as outlined in the 1996 Public Safety Plan.  Staff received direction at that time from the Commission to move forward with the construction of a new Station No. 5 to be located at 19^th Street and Stewart Avenue.  This centralized relocation will provide a reduction in response times to better meet the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards (ninety percent of emergency response in 6-minutes or less).

History:

In 1928, Lawrence received its second fire station in what was then considered South Lawrence.  Fire Station No. 2 opened on November 15, 1928, with one pumper that was assigned a crew of three.  Located at 19^th and Massachusetts Streets, Fire Station No. 2 functioned as a fire station from 1928 to 1972.  In 1955, a small addition was built on the original structure adding additional office and dorm room space.  Gold Cross Ambulance Service (a private provider) utilized the building from 1972—1974.  In 1974, the Douglas County Ambulance Service (DCASS) was established as the first county provided ambulance service.  DCASS moved into the building and renovated various areas throughout the building.  It was not until 1979 that the Fire Department moved back into the building, changing the name to Fire Station No. 5.  The following timeline provides the uses for Fire Station No. 5:

1928—1972                Fire Station No. 2

1972—12/1974           Gold Cross Ambulance Service (Private)

12/1974-1/1997          Douglas County Ambulance Service

                                  Only DCASS Station in Douglas County

1/1997-Present            Station No. 5 - Shift Commander Quarters

2/2005                       24/7 Staffed Medic Unit

Historical Considerations:

The Historic Resources Commission will be considering listing this property on the Lawrence Registry of Historic Places this fall.

Station Construction:

The building is a two-story brick structure with two (2) apparatus bays and storage and small bathroom on the ground level.  An office, utility area, small bathroom/locker room, two dorm rooms and an open kitchen are located on the second floor.  There is approximately a total of 2996 square footage equally distributed between the two floors.

Parking:

Parking is generally restricted to approximately three to four vehicles at the rear of the building.

Zoning:

C5 — Commercial.  This site does not comply with the current City land use regulations for commercial uses.