Memorandum                          

City of Lawrence

Fire Medical

 

TO:

David Corliss

City Manager

 

FROM:

Mark Bradford

Chief

 

CC:

Debbie Van Saun

Assistant City Manager

 

Date:

February 1, 2007

 

RE:

Re-Use of Station No. 2 – 19th and Massachusetts

 

Background:

The Fire/Medical department vacated the City’s original Station No. 2 at 1839 Massachusetts in April of 2006, when the services provided from that location were relocated to Station No. 5 at 19th and Stewart Ave.  As part of City Commission and CMO discussion on re-use of the building at 1839 Massachusetts, the department held an open house in November, 2005 where the public was invited to visit the facility and have discussions with commissioners, CMO, and fire/medical personnel.  The City then conducted a Request for Proposal (RFP) with interest in pursuing the following:

·    maximizing public and community use,

·    minimizing city cost/funding,

·    compatibility with other uses,

·    a use that is compatible with the historic nature of the building,

·    long term success of the proposed use.

 

The City Commission approved the dissemination of RFP’s for reuse of Fire Station No. 4 and Fire Station No. 2 on November 15, 2005.  The city received 4 RFP’s, only one (Henderson) met the February 17, 2006 5:00 P.M. submittal deadline.  In addition, the Fire/Medical department recommended the use of the facility as a fire and medical museum with co-sponsorship of the IAFF Local 1596 and retiring Fire Chief Jim McSwain.  That proposal was later withdrawn by both sponsors.

 

A public hearing before the City Commission was conducted on April 11, 2006.  The Commission gave direction to staff that this item be placed back on the Commission’s agenda in six months to allow staff time to consider possible public uses and noted that the RFP would not be extended or reissued and Henderson’s proposal would be the only RFP proposal considered. 

 

History:

In 1928, Lawrence constructed 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 19th 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 form room space.  Gold Cross Ambulance Service (a private provider) utilized the building from 1972-1974.  In 1974, the Douglas County Ambulance Service (DCAS) 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

4/2006                   Vacated

 

v     Historical considerations - the Historic Resources Commission will be considering listing this property on the Lawrence Registry of Historic Places this fall.

v     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.

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

v     Zoning - C5 (Commercial); this site does not comply with the current City land use regulations for commercial uses.

 

Current Status:

The building remains vacant subsequent to the relocation of staff to Station No. 5 at 19th and Stewart.  We conducted an internal assessment of uses for the facility and have identified a need for “confidential” space for our investigations services (fire and coroner).  The purpose of our department’s evaluation consists of the identification of projects and programs that have not been measured or verified in relation to the organizational goals and objectives.

 

The second purpose is to provide the ability to evaluate programs and activities in relation to improving the quality of the organization and/or increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of the department.  Currently we are using assigned district station locations and a work space in Administration, both of which do not provide the confidentiality that is necessary for either service.  In addition we have two evidence room locations (one in Riverfront – Prevention Officers and one in the training tower at Station No. 1) neither of which is appropriate for the secure and potential hazardous storage use.

 

Our FY 2007 Capital Equipment request consists of an Investigations vehicle that will be used for both fire and coroner missions.  At this time that unit will have to be parked outside or take up limited space at a district station apparatus area.  We would propose parking this vehicle inside at this location.

 

Recommendation:

We are recommending that this facility remain with the fire medical department to be utilized for investigation services.  The department’s fire and coroner service functions will operate from this location and will consolidate operations and storage from multiple locations to one centralized facility.

 

The use of the facility follows City Commission direction regarding maximizing public use, minimizing cost to the city and maintaining compatibility with the surrounding area.  We will continue to use the facility in a manner that is compatible with the historic nature of the building.  The restricted parking is also appropriate for the limited parking needs and current city land use regulations will be met by the investigation division use.  The upkeep and long term care of the facilities interior and exterior will be managed through the department’s annual operating budget and potentially through grants.