TBI CONSTRUCTION COMPLETES SARATOGA FIRE STATION
April 25, 2005

ONCE CONTROVERSIAL PROJECT WINS RAVE REVIEWS

SARATOGA – TBI Construction & Construction Management, Inc. has put the finishing touches on a new fire station that succeeds in complementing the historical character of Saratoga’s town center while providing efficient firefighting facilities. Once controversial, the new landmark ended up becoming so popular that people bought thousands of monogrammed bricks to build a plaza in front around a historical fire bell donated by volunteer firefighters.

“The new fire station complements its surroundings, and even though it stands in the middle of Saratoga, it enhances the entrance to it,” declared Ernest Kraule, who retired in 2002 after 34 years as fire chief. “TBI did an outstanding job in overseeing the construction. The employees enjoy the building. It is much safer, a lot cleaner and large enough for expansion. The engines can now turn around on an apron in front of the building instead of on the street.”

TBI Project Manager Tony Vierra said the work went so well that the City asked the company to take on installation of new traffic signals at the intersection in front where Saratoga Avenue and Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road intersect with Highway 9.

“The station was fully functioning from the day the firefighters moved in,” Vierra said. “It opened to rave reviews.”

The new fire station replaces a 1923 building with serious shortcomings. But replacing the old building provided nearly as many challenges as would a historical restoration. The project involved a well-known building at a very prominent location, an on-site historical monument, a need for additional land, and an architectural gem as a neighbor.

Saratoga’s New Fire Station

There was agreement that the building itself, built originally as an auto repair shop, lacked architectural or historical value. The neighbors, however, didn’t want to sell their land, and some residents wanted a park instead of a fire station.

Downtown Landmark

The fire station is located at 14380 Saratoga Ave. Backers of the new fire station began the replacement process six years ago, and voters approved a $6 million bond issue. TBI, however, was asked to head the construction much later than usual for its system of Multiple Prime Construction Management. Two building contractors had already bid the first phase of the project. TBI reviewed the bids for scope, coverage and interpretation of documents and then recommended new bidding. Sixteen contractors bid the second round, and the sum of awarded bids was 10% lower than the first round. The new building cost approximately $4 million.
The new, two-story, 13,000-square-foot station guarantees rapid response to an earthquake or other major catastrophe and provides space for treating injured people who walk-in during an emergency. There are nine bedrooms, eight of them for full-time firefighters and one for volunteer reserves, in place of what had been a dormitory.

The station has space for the district’s fire engine, one reserve vehicle, a command vehicle, a multi-purpose truck for rescue and lighting, an administrative vehicle and an ambulance.

In its role as Multiple Prime Construction Manager, TBI usually takes an active role at the time a design team is selected, although for the fire station it did not. TBI was able to work with the fire district and its architect to produce reliable budgets and schedules and exceptionally clear plans and bid packages.

Founded in 1983, San Jose-based TBI Construction & Construction Management, Inc. has completed more than $900 million in projects throughout the Bay Area. In addition to Multiple Prime Construction Management for public and private owners, the company specializes in high-quality interior improvements and corporate headquarters, historical restoration and renovation, schools, religious institutions and new buildings.