Sandy Springs has approved a temporary fire station build-out estimated at $561,350 while the city replaces a firehouse dating to 1968. A separate $216,000 allocation covers the temporary building’s first year of rent.

The City Council approved a $515,000 construction contract Tuesday, Nov. 3, for temporary Fire Station No. 1 at 8615 Roswell Road, Appen Media reported. Crews will operate there while the permanent station at 1425 Spalding Drive is demolished and rebuilt.

Construction on the permanent replacement is scheduled to begin in winter 2027.

How the city is paying for it

The temporary station’s build-out estimate, including an owner’s contingency, is $561,350. That amount excludes rent.

The project had an available balance of approximately $262,401 before the council approved a $300,000 transfer from capital contingency.

Separately, the fire department is redirecting $534,500 budgeted for payments on two new fire apparatus because the first payment is not due until fiscal year 2028. Of that amount, $216,000 will cover the temporary station’s first-year lease, while $318,500 will remain in the department’s general contingency.

The construction estimate and first-year rent total $777,350. Later rent and operating expenses are additional.

The amendments redistribute existing funding without increasing the overall fiscal year 2027 budget. The city lists both approved amendments on its ordinances page.

The Roswell Road building is leased for temporary use.

Cell tower and parking concerns

The permanent station redevelopment also prompted questions about removing a telecommunications tower serving AT&T and T-Mobile customers.

Mayor Rusty Paul asked staff to address potential service impacts. City Manager Eden Freeman said AT&T had switched off its antennas about two weeks earlier and city devices had shown no degradation. Staff using personal T-Mobile phones also reported no change, according to an account of the meeting.

Those observations did not establish whether service remained unchanged for all nearby customers.

Council Member John Paulson also asked staff to manage construction parking so contractor vehicles would not overflow into surrounding neighborhoods. Facilities and Capital Construction Director Dave Wells said the city would provide on-site parking.

Why the station needs replacing

The permanent station was built in 1968. The city says its age, size and functional limitations make replacement necessary, according to the project page.

The replacement will be a two-story facility of approximately 24,000 square feet, with apparatus bays, decontamination areas, offices, training space and living quarters for around-the-clock staffing.