Saratoga Fire Chief Ernie Kraule has taken the first steps in getting a new firehouse built for his troops on the corner of Highway 9 and Saratoga Avenue.
Kraule addressed the Saratoga City Council two weeks ago armed with the first artist's rendering of what the new firehouse might look like.
RRM Design Group of San Luis Obispo has designed numerous firehouses throughout the state and has made an attempt to keep elements of the original firehouse and match the Julia Morgan architecture of the Saratoga Federated Church, located behind the firehouse.
Final design elements could change drastically, however, as the plan moves forward and comes under the city's scrutiny.
The Saratoga Fire District has also hired a public outreach firm, the Lew Edwards Group, to handle an information campaign that's already begun with a mailer and brief survey from Chief Kraule, which was distributed to some 500 homes in Saratoga.
Ultimately, the fire district hopes to get the issue on the November ballot in the form of a bond initiative, which two-thirds of Saratoga voters will need to pass before a new station is built.
The project is so fresh that Kraule said he doesn't know how much the new station might cost. Much of the cost will depend on what's needed inside the firehouse, Kraule said.
Only the exterior has been designed, with seismic retrofitting in mind. He also said that a massive renovation and bringing the building up to seismic standards wouldn't be cost-effective.
Kraule said he fears the present building wouldn't stand up to a major earthquake, which in turn could render the firefighters useless in the event of such an emergency.
Most residents have already received and returned the survey card that came with the first batch of mailers from the fire district.
The card asks residents to check a box if they "support fire safety and medical services" and would like to stay informed on the progress of the proposal. It also allows for comments and questions.
The new firehouse, Kraule said, will probably hold six fire engines and have a 75-year lifespan. If all goes according to plan, it should be built in late 2000.
"The community has grown, and I think we can grow," Kraule said. "We're trying to look toward the future. We're just making a sampling right now, and are just starting to get responses in. Then we'll map out where we want to go."
The current Saratoga fire station has been in use since 1923, when it was converted from an auto repair garage and service station.
According to Kraule, the building has gone through a number of renovations and upgrades over time, but because of a bulging population in the area, the fire station now needs to grow as well.
One problem with knocking the building down, Kraule told the council, would be the relocation of the city's fire department during construction time.
He said that negotiations over the last few years to buy the post office's building have all but failed.
Saratoga, California Since 1975
