Station 82 construction

Project Updates

FEBRUARY 2026

• February 10 --  Interior Systems & Finishes Coming Together Major building systems are now being installed, including the hot water tank, electrical panels, plumbing fixtures, and the apparatus bay vehicle exhaust extraction system. Office cabinetry is in place, tile has been delivered, and flooring installation is coming soon. This phase brings together the essential infrastructure that allows the station to operate safely and efficiently. The vehicle exhaust extraction system, for example, helps remove diesel emissions from the apparatus bay—protecting firefighter health and improving indoor air quality

JANUARY 2026

• January 29 -- Interior Finishes Taking Shape Cabinetry has been installed in the kitchen, and painting is underway throughout the station. Flooring will be installed in a later phase. Cabinet installation and painting mark the transition from structural construction to finishing work. Completing walls and built-in features first helps protect final flooring materials from damage during ongoing construction.

• January 7 -- Major Construction Milestones  While we don’t have photos from September through December, significant work occurred during this time. Since our last update, the roof and exterior finishes have been installed, including siding, roofing, windows, and the front entry door. Curbs and sidewalks are now in place, the backup generator has been installed, and interior drywall has been taped and mudded.  Many critical construction phases happen quickly or inside the building, making progress less visible from the outside. These milestones bring Station 82 much closer to being weather-tight and ready for interior systems and finishes.

OCTOBER 2025

• October 4 – Roof Trusses Installed. The roof truss system is now in place, and preparations are underway to begin roofing. With the trusses installed, the overall shape of Station 82 is now visible. Roof trusses define the building’s profile and support the roof system. Station 82 is intentionally designed with a residential-style appearance—rather than a commercial look—to better blend into the surrounding neighborhood.

AUGUST 2025

• August 27 – Preparing for Roof Trusses. Framing continues, and preparations are underway in anticipation of the roof trusses arriving soon. Installation of the water catchment system has been completed. Roof trusses are pre-engineered structural supports that help distribute the roof’s weight evenly and speed up construction.

• August 20 – Water Catchment System Installed. Framing continues, and the water catchment system is being installed beneath the apparatus bay driveway. A series of underground blocks capture rainwater and slowly release it back into the property through natural drainage and irrigation. This reduces runoff into Freund Marsh and helps protect the surrounding environment.

• August 13 – Framing Progress Continues to move steadily forward. Completing framing allows crews to move on to roofing, utilities, and interior systems.

JULY 2025

• July 31 – Upper Floor Framing Starts. Framing has started on the upper floor. You can now see where the apparatus bay doors, sleeping quarters windows, and firefighter offices will be located. Framing helps bring the design to life by showing how spaces will function inside the station.

• July 25 – Sheathing Installed. Utility and drainage work continues. Additional exterior retaining walls have been poured, and sheathing has been installed on the lower level. Sheathing strengthens walls and prepares the building for weatherproofing and exterior finishes.

• July 18 – Interior Framing Advances. Interior wall framing continues, subflooring is being installed, and forms are in place for additional retaining walls.
  Subflooring provides a level, stable surface for finished flooring and daily use

• July 16 – Framing Begins. The lumber package has arrived and studs are being installed on the exterior retaining walls. Work on additional retaining walls has also begun. Framing creates the building’s skeleton, defining room layouts and structural strength.

• July 11 – Substructure Progress. Waterproofing and insulation have been installed on the exterior retaining walls, underground utility work is underway, and interior wall footings are being installed for the sleeping quarters.
  Waterproofing and insulation improve durability and energy efficiency while protecting the building from moisture.

• July 02 – Slab Poured & Stormwater Work Begins. Utility work continues and the slab floor has been poured. Stormwater management and drainage systems are being installed. Managing stormwater early helps control runoff and protects nearby waterways during and after construction.

JUNE 2025

• June 27 – Site Access & Utilities Take Shape. The driveway off SW Swantown Avenue is beginning to take shape, utility excavation is in progress, and the concrete slab flooring is ready for pouring. Early utility installation allows water, power, and communications to be safely placed before surfaces are finished.

• June 12 – Slab Work Underway Vapor barriers have been installed on the exterior retaining walls, and work has begun on the concrete slab flooring in the apparatus bay. Vapor barriers help prevent moisture from entering the building, protecting floors and indoor air quality.

• June 04 – Retaining Walls Poured. Concrete has been poured for the exterior retaining walls for the first floor. Retaining walls hold back soil and provide structural support, especially on sloped sites.

MAY 2025

• Foundation Preparation Begins Footings are in place and forms are being installed to prepare for a strong foundation. Footings spread the building’s weight evenly into the ground, helping prevent settling and cracking over time.

APRIL 2025

• Site Preparation Begins  Excavation marks the first visible step in building Station 82. Early work included installing a perimeter fence for site safety and security, along with placing a “Future Home of Oak Harbor Fire Department Station 82” sign to mark the start of construction.  Site security helps protect workers and the public, while early excavation prepares the ground for foundations, utilities, and drainage systems. 

MARCH 2025

• A groundbreaking ceremony was held on March 5, 2025 (Watch a recording of the live feed on Facebook)

FEBRUARY 2025

• Contract with Valdez Construction, Inc. to be authorized by City Council and signed by Mayor Wright.
• Construction is scheduled to begin in March 2025 and conclude by March 2026. 
• Information presented to Oak Harbor City Council requesting Construction Contract authorization 

DECEMBER 2024

• And the winning bidder is.... Valdez Construction! 
• The winning bid was $4.7M
• Information presented to Oak Harbor City Council about the bidding process and awarding the winning bid 

NOVEMBER 2024

• Bids to construct Station 82 were opened. 
• The winning bidder will be announced at the December 3, 2024 City Council Meeting.

OCTOBER 2024

• Invitation to bid posted (closed)
• Pre-bid conference site walk conducted
• Bid closes 11/5/2024 at 2:00 PM (extended from original closing date of 10/28/2024

March 2024

• Building Plans submitted for review.
• Anticipated documents out to bid by mid-summer 2024.

November 2023

• Preparing the Site for Station 82  To prepare for construction of Station 82, the existing structures on the property were removed. Before demolition, the residential structure was used for multiple hands-on training operations by Oak Harbor Fire, North Whidbey Fire & Rescue, NASWI Navy Federal Fire, and the Oak Harbor Police Department. Acquired structures like these provide invaluable real-world training opportunities, allowing first responders to safely practice forcible entry, search and rescue, confined space operations, and live-fire training—skills that directly improve emergency response and community safety.

AUGUST 2023

• Land purchase of 1250 SW Swantown complete on 8/15/2023
• Hearing examiner approved zoning change on 7/20/2023 (https://www.youtube.com/live/-s_6c-I9sPo?si=m0YpyEMrWWvFiS3P)
• Architectural services agreement approved by City Council on 4/4/2023 (https://www.youtube.com/live/gehfhhSPV7c?si=IbUQoy4JqZHtU3C2&t=8561)

FEBRUARY 2023

• City Council voted to approve the purchase of property located at 1250 SW Swantown Ave.
• Phase 1 environmental review of property is in process.
• Upcoming... 
  • Hearing examiner review to change zoning from R-2/R4 to public facilities (PF).  
  • Architectural services agreement to be approved by City Council (anticipated March 21)
  • Move forward on the final design phases, pre-application with City, site and civil review process.

JUNE 2017

Early Concept Rendering (2017)
This artist’s rendering reflects an early concept for Station 82 created in 2017. As the project moved forward and a different site was ultimately selected, the station design was modified to better fit the property and surrounding neighborhood. The final design transitioned from a three-bay, single-story layout to a two-bay, two-story station with a more residential appearance. Design changes like these are common as site conditions, space constraints, and community context are evaluated to ensure the station functions effectively while blending into its surroundings.

Investment

This project is entirely funded by a general obligation bond of $0.23 per $1,000 of assessed property value; the bond will expire after 20 years. Operating expenses for the station (including staffing) are funded by a levy lid-lift of $0.67 per $1,000 of assessed property value.