Task force recommends rebuilding South Shore Fire Station at current site after feasibility study

The City Council of Lake Oswego is moving forward with plans for a new fire station, following a comprehensive analysis by a task force that identified the need for a fourth station in the Southeast quadrant of the city. The task force has recommended that the current site be rebuilt rather than relocating, citing logistical challenges associated with acquiring new land and the minimal impact on response times from potential new locations.

During the meeting, the task force detailed their rigorous site selection process, which began with an inventory of buildable lands. They filtered through vacant and partially vacant parcels, ultimately narrowing their focus to 39 potential sites. However, after evaluating these options, they concluded that the current site remains the most viable for a rebuild, despite its challenges.

The existing fire station has significant structural issues, including inadequate living quarters and a narrow apparatus bay that does not meet modern safety standards. Renovating the current facility was deemed impractical, leading to the unanimous recommendation to rebuild on the existing site.

The estimated cost for the new fire station is projected to be between $17 million and $18 million, with funding likely to come from a general obligation bond. The council anticipates placing this measure on the ballot as early as May 2026. The task force emphasized the importance of engaging an architect to develop preliminary plans and a cost consultant to refine the budget based on these plans.

In closing, the task force urged the council to resist the temptation to cut costs prematurely, advocating for a thorough evaluation of options once detailed plans are available. The council expressed gratitude for the task force's diligent work and is poised to take the next steps in this critical public safety initiative.