Fire stations on the move: Updates on interim sites for 29, 32

Updates on two West Seattle fire stations that will soon be on the move, temporarily:

INTERIM ADMIRAL FIRE STATION 29: Fencing went up today at the SDOT-owned triangle that will house Station 29 while its permanent home a block away is undergoing renovations and upgrades. This is the site where neighbors didn’t find out until the last minute that the planned site had changed. After more than a week of concerns, they had a meeting two Saturdays ago, organized by Councilmember Tom Rasmussen:

(January 17th photo courtesy Ted Johnson)
Neighbors’ safety concerns weren’t fully resolved – they’re still worried about blindspots on 44th, especially at SW Hill and Ferry, even with the city saying that parking won’t be allowed on the east side of 44th. That’s another impact that concerns them, as they’ve been told 12 street parking spots will be removed around the site, in all. Regarding the trees, they were given permission for a neighbor to rescue one of the existing trees, a gingko, and they have been promised tree restoration once the interim fire station is gone. Neighbors did not get a commitment for street improvements post-fire station but vow to keep pressing the point and hope to work with the Admiral Neighborhood Association on that. As for what’s next at the site, just as we were finishing this story, we heard back from Julie Moore at the city:

We had been waiting for a signed work order from the contractor, the street use permit from SDOT and for SPU to move its water testing equipment. All of that fell into place over last week and the beginning of this week. As such, some activity has begun, including installation of no-parking signs, the Honey Bucket, and temporary fencing. Over the coming weeks, additional work will occur, including grading of the site, preparation for utilities and ultimately delivery of the temporary trailer and assembly of the tent that will house the fire engine. Because preparation for and installation of the temporary facility involves various components that require the work of different trades and inspections, some of the work will be spaced out, so there may be days without visible activity.

Meantime, in The Junction:

INTERIM JUNCTION FIRE STATION 32: Temporary buildings are now in place on the 40th SW site between Alaska and Edmunds that will house Station 32 for more than a year; this site just north of the 4745 40th SW mixed-use development will eventually become a city park. The latest status report says construction is scheduled to start any day now at the 37th/Alaska home of Station 32, which will be torn down and replaced by a brand-new station on the same site.

4:43 PM UPDATE: For this one, Julie Moore from the city says, site work will actually start closer to late February, but crews will start to move out sooner: “The tentative move schedule shows the medics from FS 32 temporarily moving to FS 37 on Feb. 9, the other crews from FS 32 moving to temporary FS 32 at 4731 40th Ave. SW on Feb. 10, and the Battalion Chief from FS 29 moving to the temporary FS 32 on Feb. 17.”

3 Replies to "Fire stations on the move: Updates on interim sites for 29, 32"

  • Poetic Justice January 29, 2015 (5:45 pm)

    Oh, the Triangle. The same Triangle we had the opportunity to improve a few years ago. But nada.
    At least now it will be put to use, Honey Buckets included.

  • kevin January 29, 2015 (6:31 pm)

    The picture reminds me of the old Nickelsville tent city site. I hope the tent garages will be heated to keep the trucks warm and ready to roll. The tents in the photo look old and worn. Hopefully the temporary housing will be substantially higher quality.

  • David Whiting January 30, 2015 (4:29 pm)

    Yes, the Admiral Neighborhood Association did offer to serve as a forum to identify and prioritize street improvements for this site after the SFD has That will be the featured topic for our March 10th meeting, which will be announced here at West Seattle Blog.

    If neighbors have particular questions or concerns before then please contact us: info@admiralneighborhood.org

    David Whiting
    ANA President

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