City of Monterey presents options for outdated Central Public Safety Facility

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) — The city of Monterey will receive a presentation on the Monterey Public Safety Facility Feasibility Study to consider whether to renovate or rebuild fire station 11

The facility, which has served the community for more than 60 years, is facing significant issues, including outdated infrastructure and limited space. The city council will explore options for repairing, upgrading, or even rebuilding the station, which is critical for both the fire and police departments.

Fire Station 11 houses not only the fire department but also the police department and emergency operations center. However, the building no longer meets modern needs and is increasingly unable to serve the growing demands of the city’s emergency services.

According to the feasibility study, replacing the facility could cost between $140 million and $170 million.

“There are many issues with the building, ranging from security concerns to challenges with sewer infrastructure and electrical systems that are still using push-button technology,” Nat Rojanasathira, Assistant Monterey’s City Manager said.

In addition to structural issues, the outdated facility is impacting the recruitment and retention of first responders.

The cramped working conditions, including the shared use of bays for both fire trucks and office space, impacting recruitment.

“It’s very hard for us to recruit talented police officers to join our force, and the same applies to our fire department,” Rojanasathira said. “One of the issues we have is that our fire trucks and apparatus are housed in the same bay as our offices, which limits the space we need to do our jobs effectively.”

The facility is also experiencing plumbing issues.

“When we recruit new officers, they come to the Monterey Police Department and see that the workspaces are outdated,” Rojanasathira said. “Many of our officers are crammed into very small workspaces, in a building where the toilets don’t flush.”

Tonight, the Monterey City Council will receive a report from a consultant detailing the options for the station’s future. Discussions on potential repairs, upgrades, or a complete rebuild will continue in the coming weeks, as the city determines the best course of action.