Preliminary plans have been submitted for the construction of a new location for Fire Station 4 at 1711 14th Avenue in Clinton, Oakland. The proposal would bring the neighborhood an updated facility four blocks away from the Oakland Fire Department’s current 116-year-old facility. The Oakland Public Works Department is responsible for the application.
The existing Fire Station 4 facility is located at 1235 International Boulevard. The structure was built in 1909, and currently operates as one of the busiest stations in the city, responding to nearly 4,000 calls per year. According to city documents, the city has been searching for a viable site for relocation since 2019. Among the failed plans, the city nixed the potential addition along San Antonio Park.
The existing Fire Station 4 firehouse at 1235 International Boulevard, image via Google Street View
The pre-application provides some insight into the future FS4. The structure will be two floors tall with four bays and living quarters for nine firefighters. Flex space will allow the complex to accommodate three more firefighters as needed. The interior will include a gear room, watch room, gym, community room, on-site laundry facilities, shower rooms, and classrooms. The site will also include parking spaces for the public to attend community meetings and a modular training building.
Given the preliminary status of the application within the city’s planning department, it’s not unusual that the project design team & further information about the future station are not available.
The property is currently occupied by surface parking and a single-story structure occupied by the East Bay Blueprint & Supply Co., Inc. The application states that the property “will be acquired by the City of Oakland via eminent domain that was authorized by Council,” during the May 20th meeting earlier this year. The estimated cost and timeline for construction have not been shared.
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Hope the old historic building has some reuse potential. It’s rare to have such an old, well mainteined building in this part of town. Could be a cool split condo.
What is the Eminent Domain justification?