Atascadero Public Safety facilities are set to receive a makeover after the City Council approved a $37 million project to build a new fire station and renovate existing fire and police stations.
At its meeting on Feb. 12, City Clerk Lara Christensen told the City Council that this project had been a long time coming and was possible thanks to Atascadero voters passing Measure D-20 in 2020, a 1 percent sales tax to fund public safety, infrastructure, city staffing, among other priorities.
“Part of placing Measure D-20 on the ballot was because we needed to find some funding solutions to addressing some of the deficiencies we have in our public safety facilities,” Christensen said.
Administrative Services Director Jeri Rangel said about $29 million for the project was proposed to be funded by bonds, and Measure D-20 would cover the debt servicing from that bond.
Rangel said the city had tucked away about $1.5 million in Measure D-20 funds per year since the sales tax measure was passed. She said the city had also applied for two congressional grants that would provide additional funding for the project.
“So, we have been putting those funds away in the building maintenance fund to pay for some of the soft costs and some of those things that you don’t want to fund over a 30-year period,” Rangel said.
The City Council voted unanimously to award the contract to LDA Partners and F&H Construction, which will design and construct the new building and renovations at an estimated cost of $31 million. City Manager Jim Lewis told the council members to congratulate themselves.
“This is leadership from you. Thank you. Congratulations to our public safety on your new homecoming,” he told the council. “You made a promise, and you kept it.”
City Clerk Christensen said Atascadero’s Fire Station No. 1, constructed in 1952, was no longer considered operationally or structurally sufficient. The current 5,400-square-foot building will be demolished and rebuilt into a two-story, 16,556-square-foot facility with expanded administrative spaces and living facilities. Fire Station No. 2, built in 1982, is slated for renovation and expansion by 850 square feet to rebuild living quarters, provide a standalone lobby and public restrooms, as well as a separate fitness area for responders.
“It really just goes back to making sure that our fire personnel are safe and comfortable again,” Christensen said.
The current police station’s interior will be modernized, with upgraded locker rooms and a new detached dispatch facility.
Christensen said that both fire and police stations will remain operational during construction periods, estimated to start in early 2026. Fire Station No. 1 is proposed to operate at the nearby California Military Department armory site, while Fire Station No. 2 and the police station will remain in operation at their current locations. Δ
Editor’s note: This article was updated to include an image and links.
This article appears in Health & Wellness 2025.