University District - Station 17

About the Station

Fire Station 17, located at 1050 NE 50th Street, is a Battalion Headquarters station. Battalion 6 serves the neighborhoods of northeast Seattle, Eastlake, and Capitol Hill. Currently, the facility houses an engine company, a ladder truck, a Battalion Chief, a reserve aid car, and a reserve Battalion Chief's car. The project will add space for a medic unit and a proposed specialty unit (Tunnel Rescue). To recognize its historic significance, the building received landmark designation in 2005.

Building additions and renovations took place on an expanded site. Improvements offer a safer, more efficient work environment for supporting both fire and emergency medical calls.

Station Improvements

The architectural firm Bassetti architects designed the addition/renovation.

Improvements include:

• a structural upgrade to bring the station up to current seismic safety standards
• an addition on the north side of the station to support Battalion 6, which will provide space for fire fighting equipment and vehicles
• increased space for classroom instruction, physical training, and an outside court for conducting drills
• new firefighter quarters
• renovated administration area
• improved mechanical and electrical systems.

Temporary Relocation

During the upgrade, the station was relocated to an interim facility at 4557 11th Ave. N. to ensure continued fire and emergency medical response to the neighborhoods served by Fire Station 17.

Current Status

The project is completed.

Project Milestones

Dec. 2008: Firefighters moved into the temporary facility. Construction on the permanent station began.

November 2008: Graham Contracting was awarded the construction contract.

October 2008: The project was advertised for bid. The building and Master Use Permit (MUP) were received.

July 2008: The project received a certificate of approval from the Landmarks Preservation Board.

June 2008: Pellco Construction was awarded the contract for work on the temporary station.

March 2008: The Seattle Landmark Board’s Architectural Review Committee reviewed the project.

September 2007: About 175 neighbors attended the design development community open house.

August 2007: The Seattle Landmark Board's Architectural Review Committee looked at details regarding connecting the existing and new buildings.

June 2007: The Seattle Landmark Board's Architectural Review Committee looked at the scope of the project and the massing of the new addition.

January 2007: Approximately 200 community members attended the pre-design scope open house on Saturday, January 27 to learn more about station improvements, view sketches, meet the fire fighters, and tour the engine, medic unit, and ladder truck.

August 2006: Consultant selection was held; Bassetti architects were selected.