BSSW Architects finalizes design for Marco Island Fire & Rescue Station 50

FORT MYERS, Fla. - April 4, 2022 - PRLog -- BSSW Architects has completed the design for Marco Island Fire & Rescue Station 50, a multi-use facility that also will serve as the community's Emergency Operations Center.

The 24,000-square-foot complex is designed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane and has a hardened "safe room," an emergency power generator with 48 hours of running capacity, independent water source, fueling station and sewage holding capacities to last three days. It also will become home to the city's primary data and information technology center.

Station 50 features three 90-foot, drive-through apparatus bays for fire trucks and ambulances, as well as 13 individual bunk rooms for firefighters and paramedics, administrative offices and a community room. A three-story training tower will be a primary center for first responders. The building's design accommodates a future 11,000-square-foot addition that can house other city departments and employees.

BSSW is providing architectural, planning and interior design services for the project. The building has white concrete walls, oversized impact-resistant windows, a metal roof and tropical landscaping that matches the community's island ambiance.

"Our designs for Station 50 consider Marco Island's present need for a modern safety and emergency complex as well as future needs for office space and administrative functions," said BSSW President and Principal Architect Dan Summers, AIA. "Hurricane Irma highlighted the need for enhanced and uninterrupted communication and availability of fire, EMS and emergency services during and after hurricanes and other emergencies, and the new complex will provide this for the community."

Summers is the principal in charge of the project, and Oscar Prieto is project manager. Manhattan Construction is the general contractor.

Station 50 will replace a facility originally built in 1992 and demolished in 2021. The Marco Island City Council approved a total construction cost of $12.6 million for the project. Site work is underway and construction is expected to be complete in early 2023.

BSSW also designed Marco Island Station 51, a modern, two-story concrete facility that opened in 2019 and features two apparatus bays with stylish red-trimmed glass doors, office space, a conference room, kitchen and dining area, five bunk rooms, fitness room and firefighters' lounge.