City Breaks Ground on First Phase of Public Safety Facilities Project

After six years of planning, collaboration, and community engagement, the City of Atascadero is proud to announce the start of construction on the first phase of its Public Safety Facilities (PSF) Project, with work now underway on comprehensive renovations at Fire Station No. 2 and a new building for dispatch operations at the Police Department. 

The PSF Project has been strategically designed as a multi-phase project to replace and renovate existing public safety facilities, including Fire Station No. 1, Fire Station No. 2, and the Police Department.  The goal of this project is to construct highly functional, energy efficient, and resource conscious facilities to strengthen emergency services capabilities across the community, prepare for future growth, and meet the health and safety needs of Fire and Police personnel. This first phase represents a major milestone, bringing to life long-envisioned improvements that will enhance service delivery, operational efficiency, and coordination among public safety personnel. 

“This moment reflects years of thoughtful planning and partnership,” said Mayor Bourbeau. “Breaking ground on these first facilities is an exciting step forward, and we are incredibly grateful to our community for making it possible through their support of the voter-approved sales tax measure, Measure D-20.” 

Measure D-20 has provided a stable and dedicated funding source to invest in critical public safety infrastructure while maintaining other essential City services. Community input has remained a cornerstone throughout the process, helping shape a project that reflects local needs and priorities. 

The upgrades to the Police Department and renovations to Fire Station No. 2 will provide modern, purpose-built spaces designed to support today’s public safety demands, improve response times, and ensure first responders have the tools and environment necessary to serve effectively.  Specifically, the Police Department improvements include safe ingress/egress for police vehicles, locker room and restroom improvements, creation of additional office and storage space, upgrades to the building, and a new building for dispatch operations. 

“This is a significant step in delivering facilities that match the professionalism and dedication of our public safety teams,” said Police Chief Dan Suttles. “These investments will directly benefit the safety and well-being of our community for years to come.” 

Construction on Fire Station No. 1 will begin this summer, with a public groundbreaking event scheduled for Monday, June 8 at 3:00 p.m.   This phase of the project will replace the existing 6,000 sq. ft., 70+ year-old station.  The new station, totaling approximately 18,000 sq ft., will house all administration functions for the Fire Department and will include enhanced safety features such as pull-through engine bays, decontamination areas, and security components.  Fire Station No. 1 will also house the City’s new Emergency Operations Center, capable of providing a safe and functional workspace to manage short or long-term Citywide emergencies and support both a local and multi-agency/multi-jurisdiction response in the event of a major disaster or emergency.  

The City extends its sincere appreciation to residents, stakeholders, and partners who have supported the project over the past six years. Their commitment has been instrumental in moving this effort forward and bringing this long-anticipated investment to fruition. 

For more information about the Public Safety Facilities Project construction, visit the Public Safety Facilities (PSF) Project page or contact the Public Works Department at publicworks@atascadeo.org (Email Public Works) or (805) 470-3456 (Call Public Works).