Report Prepared by: Casey Wilson, Fire Chief, Fire Department
Title
SUBJECT: Direction to Proceed with Site Selection and Planning for Merced Fire Station No. 56 and the Emergency Operations Center
REPORT IN BRIEF
In alignment with the ongoing development and expansion of Merced’s public safety infrastructure, this report provides direction to proceed with the site selection and planning process for the new Merced Fire Station 56 and the Emergency Operations Center. This project is critical to meeting the city’s growing demands for emergency services and to ensure public safety is in alignment with Merced’s growth to the north.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion authorizing City Staff to proceed with site selection and planning process for Public Safety CIP, project CP090007 Fire Station 56.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by staff; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
5. Continue to a future meeting.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Public Safety as provided for in the FY 25/26 budget priorities.
DISCUSSION
Background
On January 3, 2012, the City Council adopted the Merced Vision 2030 General Plan. Chapter 5 - Public Services and Facilities (amended in May 2017) of the plan states that “The location of fire facilities is a critical factor in providing adequate fire protection to the citizens of Merced. The time and distance that must be traveled to the scene of an emergency can determine whether fire suppression efforts will be successful.” The plan identifies that there are five (5) city fire stations strategically located in Merced and that the department’s call volume continues to increase. A sixth fire station was planned to be built in the general location of Bellevue Ranch. Furthermore, the plan states that the department has a goal of maintaining a response time of four (4) to six (6) minutes for the first engine to arrive at a fire or medical emergency within an assigned district. This goal was chosen because of proven factors affecting property damage, and more importantly, life. As the City continues to grow in population and area, fire protection needs to evolve to meet the response time standard, which equates to potential relocation of existing facilities and the development of new stations with personnel and equipment to be added accordingly.
Previously evaluated was a parcel located on the northwest corner of Bellevue and Barclay. Bellevue Merced LLC is the current property owner of the subject site. In principle, the property owner agreed to transfer title of the subject site to the City of Merced. The dedication of that location has since proved to be challenging due to legal matters which have an unknown timeframe for resolution. Due to the unknown timeframe of these matters, staff is recommending pivoting to an alternate location.
After careful evaluation, staff recommends moving forward with the design and planning of Merced Fire Station 56 at the west half of M Circle, located just south of Bellevue Road. This site is situated approximately one-third of a mile southwest of the previously considered property, offering several advantages in terms of location and accessibility.
The proposed location provides a strategically central position within the city, ensuring efficient access to critical emergency response areas. It is well-connected to major thoroughfares, including M Street to the north and south, and Bellevue Road to the east and west, facilitating rapid deployment of fire and emergency services across the city. The site’s proximity to these key transportation routes enhances response times and overall operational effectiveness.
Furthermore, utilizing existing city-owned property significantly accelerates the development timeline. This eliminates the need for property acquisition and the associated delays and costs, allowing for a more expedient implementation of the project. By leveraging this asset, we can streamline the planning and construction phases, ensuring that the new fire station is operational as soon as possible to meet the growing needs of our community.
Staff is confident that this location is an optimal choice for Station 56, providing both operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness while contributing to the long-term growth and safety of Merced.
The 2030 General Plan (amended May 2017) identified tentative fire station locations with the area of interest as reflected below:
For your review, an excerpt from “5.4 Public Services and Facilities Goals, Policies, and Actions, Goal Area P-2: Police and Fire Protection Services” is shown below:
On April 16, 2018, City Council accepted the Fire Department’s Standards of Coverage Assessment report pending future policy direction.
With City Council’s action on December 4, 2023, $1,000,000 from the Public Facilities Financing Plan was transferred to CP090007 thereby augmenting the existing $599,958. These funds are designated for the architectural design, planning, and engineering services required for the construction of the new fire station, police substation, and Emergency Operations Center.
Fire Station 56 Project
The construction of Station 56 is timely due to the significant growth that has occurred in the city’s jurisdiction since 2007. In particular, the fast-growing north end of Merced, where this station will be located.
Project Facts:
• Construction will include a fire station located in the vicinity of Bellevue Road and M Street.
• Fire Station 56 will cover the Bellevue Ranch Community and improve response to UC Merced.
• Fire Station 56 will help decrease emergency response times in the surrounding area and citywide helping to bring response times closer to the department’s standard of 4 to 6 minutes.
• Fire Station 56 will ideally open with Engine 56 (Captain, Engineer, & Firefighter), Truck 56 (Captain, Engineer, and two Firefighters)
Project Cost:
• Conceptual space needs assessment demands for 11,269 sq ft
o Fire Station - 9,769 sq ft approx.
o Emergency Operations Center - 1,500 sq ft approx.
• Construction costs are estimated at $14,086,250
o Estimate based on $1250 per sq ft
Project Funding:
• State Earmark Assemblywoman Soria - $4,000,000
• Public Facility Financing Plan (City) - $2,200,000
• Public Facility Financing Plan (Developer) - $2,499,782
• Total: $8,699,782
• Estimated shortfall: $5,386,468
Project Goals:
• This facility will be a new fire station and improve public safety by allowing quicker response to the surrounding areas to support and foster economic growth.
• Serve as an emergency operations center.
• Service the UC Merced campus with an aerial ladder truck due to more than doubling the number of 3 or greater story buildings within the City of Merced at annexation
Relationship to the Fire Department’s Strategic Plan:
• Goals
o Keep the citizens of our city safe.
o Enhance community safety through prevention.
o Provide an effective and efficient response to all emergencies.
o Ensure the fire department maintains or enhances its Class 2/2X ISO rating.
o Fund a modern and well-maintained Fire Department for the city.
Community Park Space
The parcel identified for Station 56 consists of 3.7 acres. Current estimates indicate that approximately 50% of the site will be utilized for the Fire Station and Emergency Operations Center. If supported, the remaining portion of the parcel could be developed into a community park.
We envision a public-safety-themed park that enhances the neighborhood’s sense of community and safety. This space would provide an ideal venue for public education activities, including fire safety demonstrations, outreach events, and community gatherings. Developing a park alongside the new station would maximize the use of available land and create a cohesive civic space that complements surrounding public infrastructure.
A shared public safety and recreation hub would reinforce neighborhood pride and demonstrate the City’s commitment to building safe, healthy, and connected communities.
A public-safety-themed park adjacent to Station 56 could be designed as an interactive, family-friendly space that blends recreation with community education. Features could include a fire-themed splash pad with hydrant sprayers and hose-style water arcs, a firefighter-inspired play area with a small engine structure and safety-education panels, and a walking path with stations highlighting fire prevention and disaster preparedness. A small pavilion could support community events, demonstrations, and school visits, while a tribute plaza would honor first responders and strengthen neighborhood pride. Thoughtful landscaping, shade, and open sightlines would ensure the park is both inviting and compatible with fire station operations.
Although the park is not currently funded, we believe there are viable pathways to bring this project to life. By partnering with community organizations, pursuing state and federal grant opportunities, and exploring additional public-private collaborations, we can develop a funding strategy that supports the design and construction of a public-safety-themed park. With strong community interest and alignment with our city’s goals for safe, healthy, and connected neighborhoods, we are confident that a coordinated effort could make this project achievable.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No impact on city resource at this time.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Presentation