Redlands moves forward with new Fire Station 264 at Heritage Park

REDLANDS — The Redlands City Council on Nov. 4 voted to designate 1.5 acres at Heritage Park as the future site of Fire Station 264 and reallocate more than $1.2 million in city funds to begin design work on the long-awaited project.

Why it matters: The decision marks a major milestone in the city’s efforts to replace Station 264’s temporary quarters — a double-wide modular unit at the city’s corporation yard that firefighters have occupied for more than 15 years — and to improve emergency response times in southwest Redlands.

Details: The move will help close emergency service gaps and improve response times in Redlands’ southwest region, an area identified as underserved in a recent Fire Department analysis.

The use of parkland was strategic to optimize both the project’s timeline and budget, City Manager Charles Duggan explained.

“Our first step was to acquire land,” Duggan said. “By using the parkland, we’re able to save millions of dollars that we would have had to use to acquire land over in that part of town.”

The council also voted to reallocate $1,215,000 in unspent proceeds from the 2012 sale of the Nevada Palmetto Grove to the city’s Future Facilities Reserve for fire station design services. The funds had been designated for trails and agricultural open space projects but have remained dormant for years.

City staff said the use of Palmetto Grove proceeds aligns with the original community benefit intent by supporting a critical public facility that directly serves residents. The funds, which have sat in a restricted account since 2012, will cover only the design phase.

Construction, estimated to cost between $12 million and $15 million, is expected to rely on other sources such as Measure T bonds.

Community concerns: During public comment, residents expressed both support and skepticism about the proposal. One speaker questioned the reallocation of funds intended for trails and open space, saying it was inconsistent to use them for a facility that would reduce open land. Another raised traffic and safety concerns about Nevada Street, describing it as narrow and frequently used by commuters and commercial trucks.

Despite the objections, the city manager emphasized the urgency of moving forward.

“If we don’t do it, then it’s delayed at least another year because we have to go through our budgeting process,” he said. “By using these funds, we can get a jump on designing it now.”

City staff also noted that the project has the support of the Redlands Conservancy.

Strategic site selection: According to the staff report, the Fire Department evaluated 11 potential locations using call-volume and population data before selecting Heritage Park as the most practical option. While other sites performed slightly better in coverage, the park offered a rare combination of city-owned land, cost savings, and geographic advantage.

The new station will be built on the park’s southwest corner, an undeveloped area near Nevada Street and Orange Avenue. Once complete, the permanent facility will strengthen emergency response in the city’s southern and western neighborhoods while maintaining the park’s mix of recreational, agricultural, and cultural uses.

The council unanimously approved the motion, with Council Member Denise Davis recusing herself because she owns property within 500 feet of the proposed site.