Conceptual design and authorization to proceed with final plans and specifications of the new Central Fire Station was approved unanimously at Tuesday’s Brownwood City Council meeting.
Brownwood City Manager Bobby Rountree and Brownwood Fire Chief Del Albright explained details of the conceptual design (pictured above) for the new Central Fire Station. The proposed site plan and a floor plan for the new fire station were prepared by Brown Reynolds Watford (BRW) Architects. The 14,400 square foot facility features sleeping quarters, a day room/dining and kitchen area, office spaces, a combination of emergency operations center/training room, upstairs storage and workout room, and five bays for fire vehicles.
The new facility will be located across the street from the Depot Civic and Cultural Center and conceptual design has taken this neighboring historic structure into consideration. The design, according to city officials, will compliment the Depot architecture by using arched windows, similar outside globe lighting and other features. The exterior construction of the building will be brick and hardy board. Interior construction will consist of sheetrock walls and stained concrete floors, except for the sleeping quarters that will be carpeted. Construction cost of the project is estimated to be less than $3,000,000.
Rountree stated that the Red Cross has accepted the city’s appraised bid on the Red Cross building located on Adams Street, which is on the site where the new fire station will be constructed. The land where this building sits is city owned as well as the land behind that location at the RV park.
The final plans and specifications will be brought to the council for approval once completed by BRW. It is hoped that the new Central Fire Station will be completed within 9-12 months, according to Rountree.
Rountree explained that use of the current parking and RV infrastructure is going to be conserved.
“I want to maintain as many RV stalls as possible and the parking lot in front of the Red Cross Building,” said Rountree who explained parking and the convenience of the RV stalls are very important for times such as the Brownwood Reunion Celebration and during elections.
The fire station committee, composed of Councilman Carl McMillan, Councilman H.D. Jones, Chief Del Albright, Jim Stewart and City Manager Bobby Rountree, are working close with BRW architects in the design and planning of the Central Fire Station construction.
Pictured above are the front (E. Adams Street) and rear (E. Lee Street) views of the new Central Fire Station. Below are the side views from Greenleaf and Congress Street as well as the floorplan of the new building.
CLICK HERE for a full version of the floorplan.
