Fire District Faces Challenges on Rocky Road to New Station

The Sedona City Council convened on December 18 to discuss potential locations for a new fire station, a key move for the Sedona Fire District (SFD). Two main sites are under consideration: the current Station 4 on Forest Road and an available city-owned property on Jordan Road.

SFD Fire Chief Ed Mezulis has expressed a preference for the Jordan Road location, citing logistical advantages. He noted, “It’s a flat site, it’s rectangular in shape, and it will more easily accommodate pass-through bays.” This configuration promises to facilitate operations, particularly for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The existing Forest Road site presents challenges, including significant elevation changes that would necessitate extensive excavation. “To create a suitable building surface, we’d need to construct retaining walls and retention ponds,” Mezulis explained. He emphasized the complications faced during past construction, indicating that initial digging turned out to be far more labor-intensive and time-consuming than anticipated.

Contractors have estimated that developing the Forest Road site could require between $500,000 and $700,000 in preliminary work. Additionally, acquiring adjacent properties to enhance the site would impose further costs. “Recent appraisals show our current property appraised at $1.18 million, while the Jordan Road option was estimated at $2.3 million,” Mezulis added, outlining the financial implications of each option.

Current assessments value the Forest Road area significantly, with 391 Forest subjected to a cash value of $962,501, and the Jordan Road segment at $1,047,156. “The Forest location is a viable option, but it comes with anticipated increased costs,” said Mezulis.

Soil tests have yet to be conducted on the Jordan Road property, but Mezulis speculated that its history as an orchard could indicate a more favorable geological context for construction. Meanwhile, challenges with excavating at the Uptown garage have only underscored the complexities of working within Sedona’s unique rocky terrain.

Kurt Harris, the city’s Director of Public Works, highlighted how geological issues had extended the construction timeline of the Uptown garage significantly. The necessity for blasting and digging through rock posed not just financial implications but also time-related challenges.

Herb Tiffany, a local contractor, reinforced the significant costs associated with excavation in Sedona’s rocky environment during a recent City Council meeting. “Rock excavation remains the largest expense we encounter,” he stated, drawing connections to broader construction projects in the area.

After evaluating various locations, including potential sites behind Coldwell Banker and the old Forest Service property, the decision ultimately reflects a commitment to maintaining the Uptown area’s character. The need for a new station has been recognized since at least 1996, demonstrating the longstanding focus on enhancing local fire services.