A groundbreaking event Tuesday, May 17, recognized construction of the new Kansas City Fire Department Fire Station #14 that will serve Kansas City North. The event was held at the site of the future station, located at Highway 152 and North Brighton Avenue.

“This station will provide enhanced fire protection to citizens living north of the Missouri River,” said Chief Richard “Smokey” Dyer, Kansas City Fire Department Director. “The facility will greatly enhance emergency service to the M-152 corridor area in the northeastern area of the city. Response times for fire and emergency medical incidents will be significantly reduced with the construction of this new station.”

The project is estimated to cost approximately $5.5 million and is completely funded by the fire sales tax passed in August 2001. The projected completion date is summer 2006.

The station is being designed by Gossen-Livingston Associates and will be constructed by Titan Construction Organization Inc. This station will be the first battalion chief headquarters design to be built north of the river. This design is a one-stop-shop where fire companies can obtain fuel, refill air and oxygen, and also be used as a training facility for the Fire Department’s fire companies north of the river.

The City’s Capital Improvements Management Office (CIMO) is managing the completion of this project using the City’s design-build process approved by City Council in February 2004. This process uses a single contractor to manage both the design and construction. The goal of the process is to shorten the length of bid time and expedite project completion.

For more information about this project, the design-build process, and other priority projects for the Kansas City Fire Department and the Capital Improvements Management Office (CIMO), please visit the CIMO Website (www.kcmo.org/cimo).