As the Hastings community continues to grow placing new demands on city services, its facilities will ultimately need to be renovated as well.
The Hastings City Council on Monday night approved an agreement with CNH Architects of Apple Valley for a space needs study for the Hastings Fire & EMS Department.
“The department has grown in both staffing size and model. This study will look to the needs of the department and the impact on future growth,” Fire Chief John Townsend said.
The cost of the study is $16,500, and the money was included in the 2024 city budget.
CNH’s proposal to the city states, “The City of Hastings is looking to update the current fire station draft concept with this study to further incorporate best practices in current fire station design, validate the project constraints, and develop alternate layouts to fully explore the design that will best fit the City’s needs. The City is seeking architectural design and engineering services to provide an assessment of space needs, concept plans, site fit analysis, cost estimating, and project phasing for this fire station.
“For the fire station, CNH Architects will start with an in-depth review of the existing fire station and site to gather existing data for physical condition, space usage, NFPA standards, fire station best practices related to health, and energy efficiency status. This review will allow our team of architects, interior designers, and engineers to develop a strong background and understanding of the current physical structures, spaces and systems within this study scope.
The firm’s work will focus on solutions not only for space but for a design that works well for the staff to provide a facility to meet the community needs for decades to come.
“As we discuss the space and operational needs of each portion this station, CNH’s team will encourage the exploration of how operational efficiency, firefighter health and well-being, and public benefit could be positively impacted through the process of the station’s design. Together we will create a space needs program that not only addresses size and function but provides insights into broader opportunities to best meet the City’s goals identified,” according to the CNH proposal.
The Hastings Fire & EMS Department service area is approximately 150 square miles. The department has 12 full-time paramedic/firefighters, three shift captains and 29 paid on-call firefighters/EMTs. Administrative staff includes two chief officers, one inspector and one fire services office manager.
CNH’s proposal states it will provide the city with “multiple preliminary space planning and site design options to evaluate possible building expansion, rebuild or relocation options.”
“We will creatively explore opportunities to maximize the building and site utilization in each approach to provide the background and trade-offs associated with each concept building and site plan,” the proposal sates.
The firm will also provide construction cost estimates for each concept.
