City of Atascadero breaks ground on public safety facility improvements
City plans to replace 70-year-old Fire Station No. 1
– Atascadero has started construction on the first phase of its Public Safety Facilities Project following six years of planning and community engagement.
According to the city, work is underway on renovations at Fire Station No. 2 and construction of a new dispatch operations building at the Police Department.
The multi-phase Public Safety Facilities Project includes planned renovations and replacement work at Fire Station No. 1, Fire Station No. 2, and the Police Department. City officials said the project is intended to modernize public safety facilities, improve emergency response capabilities, and address future growth and operational needs.
“This moment reflects years of thoughtful planning and partnership,” Mayor Charles Bourbeau said. “Breaking ground on these first facilities is an exciting step forward, and we are incredibly grateful to our community for making it possible through their support of the voter-approved sales tax measure, Measure D-20.”
According to the city, Measure D-20 provides funding for public safety infrastructure improvements while maintaining other city services.
The city said upgrades at the Police Department will include vehicle ingress and egress improvements, locker room and restroom renovations, additional office and storage space, building upgrades, and a new dispatch operations building.
“This is a significant step in delivering facilities that match the professionalism and dedication of our public safety teams,” Police Chief Dan Suttles said. “These investments will directly benefit the safety and well-being of our community for years to come.”
Construction on Fire Station No. 1 is scheduled to begin this summer. A public groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for June 8 at 3 p.m.
According to the city, the project will replace the existing 6,000-square-foot fire station, which is more than 70 years old, with a new approximately 18,000-square-foot facility. The new station will include administrative offices for the Fire Department, pull-through engine bays, decontamination areas, security features, and the city’s new Emergency Operations Center.
City officials said the Emergency Operations Center will provide workspace for managing local and regional emergency responses during disasters and major incidents.
For more information about the Public Safety Facilities Project, visit City of Atascadero, email publicworks@atascadero.org, or call (805) 470-3456.
