We provided a brief update on the status of the fire station restoration project in our June newsletter mailed to the community (also available on our website), but we know the public is anxious to hear what the latest information is.
I have created this announcement space on our website to provide the community more frequent updates, as they become available.
The current situation and progress report is as follows:
- The Fire Station was heavily damaged by a broken fire sprinkler pipe in January, 2024. We worked with our insurance carrier and water mitigation contractor to demolish needed areas to avoid mold and further damage. The process to stop the progress of damage took over a month. We then worked to settle the claim with our insurance carrier which was closed mid-June, 2024.
- The Board of Commissioners voted to move forward with the accelerated timeline to renovate the Sudden Valley fire station instead of simply restore it to pre-damaged condition. This is expected to save in operational downtime, as well as cost of construction in the long run. Since that vote occurred several months ago, we have been working with our contracted architectural firm to determine the scope and costs of the project.
- We received high-level cost estimates for the planned renovation on July 3rd, 2024.
- The cost estimate was received and approved eight days after receipt by our Board of Fire Commissioners at our July 11th meeting.
- The architect was given instruction to move forward as quickly as possible with preparing a full cost proposal for the design and construction management of the renovation project. We are now awaiting a scope of work and formal fee proposal. They have been notified that this project is our highest priority and to move as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, we are on their timeline and subject to the project loads of the architect and sub-contracted engineering contractors.
- Once a contract is produced, I expect it to be reviewed and approved very rapidly. We hope to have a fee proposal by August 1st. We are checking in with our architect weekly for progress.
- After a contract is drafted and approved by both parties, then detailed engineering and architectural plans and specifications must be completed which will take some time. Once the plans are approved, they will be submitted to Whatcom County Planning & Development for permitting. The review process at the County is expected to take at least 120 days.
- Once we have a permit, we will put the project out to bid per State procurement and Public Work laws, which will take at least another 4+ weeks.
- Once we award a contractor the project, then we hope to execute a contract and begin work as soon as possible.
- Unfortunately, I don’t anticipate the Sudden Valley fire station being back open for response until Spring of 2025 at this rate, but I hope I am pleasantly surprised with an earlier date.
We understand the community’s frustration with the station being closed, and frankly, we are frustrated as well, but we are subject to timelines established by our private architectural and engineering firms, as well as permitting agencies, and private contractors. They are all aware of the importance of this project, but we have to understand we are not the only project they are working on.
While the Sudden Valley station is closed to full response crews, our command staff chief officers are still routinely in the office during business hours and respond to high-acuity incidents as resources and needs dictate so that life-saving interventions can be started earlier.
I encourage community members to reach out to us directly with any questions or comments on the project. I love to talk with our citizens, so please do not hesitate to call. I am also happy to address community groups if that is desired.
We also encourage community members to attend (in-person or online) our monthly Board of Fire Commissioners meetings to hear the latest updates and to learn more about how your fire authority operates. The announcements and online links for the meetings are found on our main website under Announcements > “Board of Fire Commissioners”.
Sincerely,
Mitch Nolze
Fire Chief
Office: (360) 676-8080 (ext. 101)
Email: mnolze@swrfa.org