Originally constructed in 1925, the Chehalis Fire Department’s old fire station has long been in need of replacement. After sharing headquarters with Lewis County Fire District 6 in 2019 before moving to another temporary location on Northwest Sitka Street, the department is still forced to operate out of construction trailers and temporary apparatus bays.
In July 2020, the City of Chehalis issued a general obligation bond not to exceed $1.75 million to finance the purchase of land for a new fire station while also paying for the temporary location.
During its Feb. 26 meeting, the Chehalis City Council unanimously approved a contract renewal with Rice Fergus Miller Inc., a Bremerton-based architecture consulting firm, which had previously been working with the city on this project before COVID-19 hit.
Chehalis Fire Chief Adam Fulbright explained to the council that Rice Fergus Miller had last discussed fire station programming on the new site in May 2022, but updated programming was needed to reconfirm with suitability of the property in question for the new fire station.
“We need a detailed environmental program document. We need to know the square footage that we’re going to have, and we also need a preliminary site plan and exterior character sketch,” Fulbright said.
Costs to complete this phase are not anticipated to exceed $44,000.
“This expense was anticipated and budgeted,” Fulbright added.
Amendments will be required if the cost exceeds $44,000.
Chehalis City Councilor Daryl Lund asked if, in the case that the consultants ultimately decided the land was not suitable for the new fire station, Rice Fergus Miller’s work could easily be transplanted to another site.
“This site might work if we merge with another fire department, but that probably won’t happen until I’m 100 years old,” Lund said. “So do we want a fire hall in a spot that is not in the best spot to serve the citizens? And this site is not a good spot to serve the citizens. Even some of the (fire) department guys will tell you that.”
He added with Chehalis’ projected growth, the new fire station needs to be centralized. Fulbright stated that the consultant’s new plan could be utilized in a new location.
Newly elected Councilor John Six asked why the site was purchased in the first place if it might not actually be suitable for the city’s new fire station.
“A California chief wanting to build an empire,” Lund answered.
Fulbright, who became the Chehalis Fire Chief last year, said from what he had seen in the former chief’s files, five sites were originally being considered for the station.
