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Information about the new Fire Station #41 being built adjacent to Bannister Mall was shared at a news conference hosted by Chief Richard “Smokey” Dyer. The news conference was held at the 3-Trails Village Community Improvement District offices at 5912 E. Bannister Road.
Dyer, director and chief of the City of Kansas City, Mo., Fire Department, provided information about the fire station’s design and construction schedule, the history of the area, and how the location of the station will improve firefighter and citizen safety.
The new station is located in the 6th District near the intersection of 93rd Street and Hillcrest Road. The project is estimated to cost approximately $4 million and is completely funded by the fire sales tax passed in August 2001. The projected completion date is late 2006.
“This station will replace the existing Fire Station #41 and will continue to provide fire protection to citizens living in the southern neighborhoods of the city,” Dyer said. “The new orientation of the station on Hillcrest Road will improve firefighter and citizen safety by minimizing potential traffic interruptions. The new facility will permit the adequate housing of both a pumper and a ladder truck and the assigned personnel. The additional space for the ladder truck company will significantly improve emergency service throughout the southeast section of the city.”
The station was designed by Wellner Architects and is being constructed by K.C. Heritage Construction Company. The two-story station will be an entirely new facility, with more than 12,000 square feet that will house 10 Fire Department employees. The station will be the first of its kind in the United States to sit directly on a street roundabout.
In addition, the new station will be on the Santa Fe, Oregon and California national historic trails. The trails are on the same alignment at that location, making this the first fire station in the United States eligible to receive the National Park Service’s national historic trails certification.
At the news conference, Dyer said the station’s design will complement surrounding architecture and reflect a more traditional style of fire house. Recycled materials, including century-old stone pillars obtained from the City’s Parks and Recreation Department, will be used in the building’s composition.
Dyer thanked the many partners that collaborated to bring Fire Station #41 to life, including the 3-Trails Village Community Improvement District, which worked diligently on the project as part of its focus to promote economic development and revitalization in the 6th District.
The City’s Capital Improvements Management Office is managing the completion of this project using the City’s design-build process approved by the City Council in February 2004. This process uses a single contractor to manage both the design and construction to shorten the length of bid time and expedite project completion.
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