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City council allocates $1.49M for new Fire Station. * By Adeniyi Latinwo * Aug 12, 2026 Updated Aug 14, 2026 The Redlands City Council approved a $1.49 million agreement with PBK Architects California Inc. on July 21 for architectural design services for the construction of a new permanent Fire Station 264. The agreement, approved during the council's regular meeting, authorizes PBK Architects California Inc. to provide architectural and engineering design services for the new station at a cost not to exceed $1,486,100. The council also determined the project is categorically exempt from environmental review under Section 15301(d) of the California Environmental Quality Act. The new fire station will be built at the Heritage Park site, 1905 Orange Avenue in Redlands, and will include an approximately 12,000-square-foot facility and related site improvements on about 1.5 acres. Redlands Fire Chief Rich Sessler refers to this as a "super exciting time for us and the fire department," as the fire department is a direct beneficiary of architectural re-design. "This project replaces our temporary modular station which has served the community since 2008 but no longer meets the operational, safety or functional needs of today's fire service," Sessler said. Sessler said that PBK has extensive experience designing public safety facilities including more than 200 fire stations and emergency service projects and has successfully completed previous projects in the city, including the renovation of Fire Station 262. "Their familiarity with our operations and standards will help streamline the service designs and keep the project moving efficiently. Approval of this agreement allows us to begin the design phase of a modern, permanent facility that will better serve our firefighters and the residents of Redlands for many years to come." City staff said the aging facility lacks the infrastructure necessary to meet current firefighter health and safety standards, accommodate emergency apparatus and maintain operational readiness. As a result, construction of a permanent replacement has become a priority for the Redlands Fire Department. PBK submitted its proposal on May 15 to provide comprehensive architectural and engineering services throughout the project. The firm's responsibilities will include schematic design, design development, preparation of construction documents, agency review support, bidding assistance and construction administration. Staff recommended awarding the contract on a sole-source basis rather than a bid process, citing PBK's specialized experience designing public safety facilities and its familiarity with the city's fire department. The report states that using a design team already familiar with the city's fire operations is expected to reduce project startup time, improve coordination, streamline the design and review process and minimize the potential for delays or redesigns. Staff also noted that PBK has assembled the same consultant team used on previous Redlands Fire Department projects, including specialists in civil, structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical and landscape architecture. The approved agreement includes $1,275,000 for basic architectural services, $66,000 for project-specific services and $10,000 for reimbursable expenses. The council also approved a 10% contingency of $135,100 to address unforeseen conditions, additional design coordination, regulatory requirements or other project needs, bringing the total authorized amount to $1,486,100. Any use of contingency funds will require city approval. According to the staff report, city staff reviewed the proposal and determined the fees were reasonable for the scope and complexity of the project. Construction of the new Fire Station 264 is intended to provide a modern, permanent facility capable of supporting the Redlands Fire Department's emergency response needs for years to come.

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