Land deal paves way for new Bothell fire station

A new fire station is in the works for Bothell, thanks in part to the work of two federal lawmakers who represent the Northshore area.

U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee and Sen. Patty Murray announced July 28 that they had helped broker a land deal that gives Snohomish County Fire District 10 surplus property from the Army Reserve Command center located on 228th Street Southeast.

The fire district – which contracts with city of Bothell Fire and EMS – will offer services and repairs in exchange for the parcel, which provides the necessary acreage for a replacement of the existing Queensborough station.

Inslee and Murray, a Bothell native, included language in the Defense Authorization Act of 2005 that authorized the land swap.

“I’m proud that this land transfer was approved so that these hard-working men and women can continue to save lives, help those in danger and enhance national security,” Inslee said in a press statement. “This is a win-win situation for Bothell and the Army.”

The Queensborough station is designed for volunteer use, but the district claims that a full-time crew is needed to reduce response times and meet growing demand in the area.

“We are anticipating growth, and want to build a station that can grow with our community,” the Bothell Fire Department said in an e-mail. “We are participating in a station location study that will help us plan for the potential annexation area and other projected growth.”

The existing Queensborough facility has been in use since 1979, and started housing full-time crews after a remodel took place in 1994.

But occupancy levels are higher than what the building was designed for, and toxic mold has been a recurring problem since 1999, according to officials from Fire District 10.

Construction costs for the new Queensborough facility are estimated at $5.8 million.

Snohomish County Fire District 10 and the city of Bothell have agreed informally to share the cost, according to Bothell Fire and EMS officials.

Bothell's City Council has already dedicated $2.5 million toward the project.

Snohomish County Fire District 10 has $1.5 million allocated toward the project, and plans to pay for the remaining portion of its share with a non-voted bond.

“By doing it this way, we don’t need to ask for additional revenue and can save our citizens from having to pay more than they currently are,” said Fire District No. 10 Commissioner Mike Norris.

No date has been set for completion of the new firehouse.

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