Caption: Funding South Shore Fire Station Reconstruction to Improve Community Safety
Question: Shall Lake Oswego rebuild the South Shore fire station to improve community safety by issuing $20.6 million in bonds?
Summary: If approved, this measure would permit the issuance of general obligation bonds to demolish the existing South Shore Fire Station (built in 1971) and build a replacement station.
A new station would modernize the building to keep response times low, provide upgraded safety for firefighters, and meet seismic standards.
A task force evaluated alternative options, including continuing renovations and closing the station, and recommended reconstructing the station. Today's building codes and environmental laws make remodeling more expensive than new construction. In addition, the crew quarters must be rebuilt as they cannot be reinforced to meet today's seismic standards for essential facilities, leaving firefighters and the community vulnerable in an earthquake.
If the measure is rejected, the current station will remain in service as long as it is safe to be used, but it will likely need to be closed in the future.
The bonds are estimated to cost $0.19 per $1,000 of assessed property value annually. Actual rates may vary based upon interest rates and changes in assessed value.
Explanatory Statement
Background of South Shore Fire Station
Constructed in 1971, the South Shore Fire Station, located at 1880 South Shore Boulevard, is the oldest of Lake Oswego’s four fire stations. While the station primarily serves the southeast quadrant—including Lakeridge High School, Hallinan Elementary School, Luscher Farm, Lake Oswego Recreation and Aquatic Center, Mary’s Woods, and the Stafford Retirement Community. South Shore Fire Station functions as part of a city-wide emergency response system. Personnel, vehicles, and equipment from this station respond to critical incidents and medical emergencies throughout the entire Lake Oswego community.
Facility Deficiencies & Earthquake Safety
A City Council-appointed Community Task Force evaluated the facility and determined the South Shore Fire Station has reached the end of its useful life. The building does not meet current seismic standards for essential public facilities such as fire stations, schools, or hospitals. The Task Force found that existing crew quarters cannot be reinforced to meet essential facility seismic standards. After evaluating alternatives, the Task Force determined that renovating the existing structure was not economically feasible compared to the cost of constructing a new, earthquake safe facility.
Health & Operational Improvements
If approved, the measure would fund the construction of a new facility designed to include:
- Decontamination Areas: Dedicated spaces designed to reduce firefighter exposure to cancer-causing materials commonly encountered when fighting fires.
- Modern Vehicle Bay: Expanded storage space to accommodate modern emergency vehicles and equipment like the marine rescue boat and trucks used for wildfire response that do not fit in the current 1971 structure.
- Operational Readiness: Facility designed to maintain the city’s current emergency response goals, including the target of reaching 90% of high-priority calls within 8 minutes or less.
Proposed Measure & Financial Impact
After evaluating alternatives, including renovation and closing the South Shore Station, the Task Force recommended a full replacement funded by general obligation bonds because current building codes and environmental regulations make remodeling the 1970s materials more expensive than new construction. The City Council reviewed the Task Force recommendations and submitted this measure for voter consideration.
Measure 3-635 authorizes the issuance of up to $20.6 million in general obligation bonds to demolish the existing structure and construct a new station at the current location.
The bonds are estimated to cost property owners approximately $0.19 per $1,000 of assessed property value annually. For a home with an assessed value of $600,000, the estimated annual cost would be $114.
If the measure is rejected, the $20.6 million in bonds will not be issued, and the property tax will not be imposed. The current station would remain in service only as long as it is deemed safe for use, but it would not be upgraded to meet modern seismic, health, or safety standards.
Submitted by:
Laura Hawkins, City Recorder | City Elections Official
City of Lake Oswego