Tucson Fire Central - Tucson, Arizona (2006 – 2009)

Bob Vint served as the Historical & Design Consultant to WSM Architects of Tucson for a new facility replacing the aging Tucson Fire Department Station #1. The design combines a new downtown fire station with offices for Fire Administration and Fire Prevention in a 60,000 sq. ft. two-story building. Fire Central was built on a former parking lot -- that was once a huerto de membrillo, or quince orchard, in Barrio Viejo, just south of the Tucson Convention Center. The commission resulted from a design competition in which sensitivity to the historic context was a major consideration. As part of integrating the two-story L-shaped structure into the historic neighborhood, a small placita was proposed at the south end of the site, framed by the historic adobe chapel of San Cosme. The new building relates to its setting in massing, texture, scale and color. Parking is provided beneath the structure. Fire Station #1 opens north onto Cushing St. while the office wing turns to the southeast. A bell tower holds the historic "5-Mile Bell," which was used by the TFD in the 19th century when it was an all-volunteer force. 

Client: City of Tucson
Contractor: Sundt Construction
Status: completed 2009