By Allan Jamail
Jacinto City, TX. – October 4, 2018 – Jacinto City already has many new projects under way or recently completed, and is now upgrading and expanding its Fire Station.
City Manager Lon Squyres said, “The original station was built in 1974 for a strictly volunteer fire department. The dorm quarters are not adequate and it lacks basic life safety measures such as a fire escape. The new addition addresses all of these issues by providing several small individual bunk rooms and adequate showers for the firefighters. Part of the older current facility will become a better exercise room than we currently have.”
Fire Chief Rebecca Mier said, “The new addition provides additional office space and training space that will be more conducive to our day to day operations.”
Plans include new wiring and lighting in the truck bays of the existing building. Future plans include replacing the rolling overhead doors, which are too old and require continued maintenance.
Planning for the new addition started last year, and construction will be complete before the end of this year 2018.
The two story addition will add about 3840 square feet to the building. The contractor for the work is Portfolio Builders of Houston. Council approved a contract for $755,500 for the project. The building was designed by Gilbert Hoffman of Hoffman Liu Design Associates, with the joint venture architectural firm of TDCK Architects.
The new addition will include a Day Room/Training Room, 2 offices for captains, a chief’s office, EMS supply storage, firemen’s gear storage, kitchen, an interview or ilolation room, and toilets and stairs on the first floor. An enclosed outdoor patio will be off the day room.
On the second floor, there will be bunk rooms for 6 firemen, and lockers, laundry, showers and toilets. Facilities will be provided for both men and women fire personnel.
Extensive renovation is required in the existing building due to its age and wear. Planned for the building are new overhead doors, a new truck bay, new exercise room, and equipment storage.
In addition, electrical service and security service need upgraded and replaced due to its age.
The existing building is about 50 years old, and has had minimal remodeling over the years. City Manager Lon Squyres, and Fire Chief Rebecca Meir, have indicated the work is required to continue to provide adequate EMS and fire service to the community.
The building will be enclosed in two colors of brick, and feature signage at the new glass entry. The brick will partially enclose the existing building on the Mercury Drive facade to blend the two together.