Fire Station 6 will be needed to better serve the community and improve response times at build-out population. In anticipation of this need, land was acquired in 2008. Voters approved a total of $9.945 million, in the 2016 bond election, for the architectural design, site development, and construction of a sixth (and final) fire station.  The time has come to begin planning and design for this last fire station.

Between October 2019 and December 2019, the City invited three qualified architectural firms to interview for the design and contract. A panel of five (5) representatives from different city departments were present during each interview, who anonymously scored each firm in the categories of creativity, design, experience, references and proposed project team.  VAI Architects, Inc., was the recommended firm selected for further negotiation of fee.

Staff has determined the design effort should be broken into two phases. The first phase of work will include a complete floodplain analysis, land and tree survey, schematic design, cost estimating, design concept renderings, and site plan approval through the Technical Review Committee.  A contract to complete this first phase is proposed now, with a second phase (detailed construction plan preparation) to occur at a later date, potentially by the same firm.  When the time comes, a separate contract for Phase II services will be brought to the Allen City Council for approval. This model of architect selection and project delivery matches the current Central Fire Station Remodel / Renovation project and works well to get the project shovel ready when construction of the station is necessary.

Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with VAI Architects, Inc., for architectural and engineering services for Phase I of the Fire Station #6 Project in the amount of $194,000.

I make a motion to authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with VAI Architects, Inc., for architectural and engineering services for Phase I of the Fire Station #6 Project in the amount of $194,000.