Project Case Study
From our experience, we have gained a deep understanding of the City’s overall goals and vision that helps define the success of this project. The mental health and physical wellbeing of first responders is a top priority. We collaborated with the design team to create spaces that foster physical, emotional and mental healing, enhancing the working and living conditions of the firefighters. With a focus on purposeful construction practices, the environment in these fire stations will promote overall health and provide necessary resources.
After successfully completing Overland Park Fire Station #48, the City turned to our team again for their next station. The 4 bay facility includes four-fold apparatus bay doors and polished concrete floors, and also features a lobby, weight room, 12 bunkrooms, gender-neutral bathrooms, lounge, and kitchen.
Since the project started over budget, McCownGordon worked diligently to get the project back in line. We collaborated as a team to ensure we maximized the City’s budget and developed cost options during preconstruction all while working proactively to mitigate potential risks in the volatile construction market.
The project site is challenging with construction taking place in a residential area off of a busy main street next to a church/daycare and the American Legion. Noise and working hours for construction are top of mind as the new station is constructed. We pride ourselves on being good neighbors during construction.
Sustainability
The City of Overland Park is championing sustainability and solar technology as part of their vision to be a sustainable city. For this new construction project, solar panels were installed on the fire station’s roof to power approximately 75% of the building.  McCownGordon Construction worked with Sunsmart Technologies, a solar energy company in the Kansas City metro area, to install a 165 solar panel array.
Installing solar panels on a fire station’s roof reduces fossil fuel reliance and greenhouse gas emissions, showcasing environmental responsibility. From 9am – 5pm, the solar panel system is producing enough energy to meet all of the electrical needs of the building during that 7-hour period resulting in a 30-35 % savings in electric utility bills.  Additionally, the excess energy produced during that time period can be sold back to the Utility for a credit.
With the cost savings on the Fire Station’s monthly electricity bills and the Clean Energy Tax Credit received for this project, the City hopes to recoup the cost of the solar panel system over the next 10 years.
