Construction is underway by Speed Fab-Crete as design-builder of two new fire stations, costing $4,686,933, for The City of Rockwall, Texas. It is the first time in Rockwall's history that the city council has accepted a design-build contract for construction of new facilities.
Design-Build is a contractual method by which architectural, engineering and construction services are performed under a single contract with the owner. This method has become increasingly popular with governmental entities since Texas first authorized use of design-build for school projects in 1997.
Because all professional entities are on board at the beginning of the project's planning, design-build is considered to be faster and less costly. Design-build allows early involvement of subcontractors for realistic discussions about cost estimating and accuracy in the project's scheduling.
The Rockwall contract provides for using the same 11,000-square-foot floor plan for construction of both buildings. However, one station will have an additional 1,100-square-feet for living quarters, leased by a private emergency medical contractor for its ambulance attendants.
Designed by Callahan & Freeman Architects of Fort Worth, the fire stations will be located at opposite ends of the Rockwall city limits in the north and southeast areas of the expanding city. The designs will feature Speed Fab-Crete's precast concrete wall building system. Completion is planned for summer, 2009.
Each station will have six equipment bays, male-female sleeping quarters, weight, dining and dayrooms, kitchen, a shop and equipment storage room.