Demolition began on Feb. 22 on the building that currently occupies the site of Kirkland’s future Fire Station 27.

The City’s contractor is preparing the Northeast 132nd Street parcel for a state-of-the-art emergency response facility that will help first responders reduce response times to the Totem Lake, Kingsgate and North Rose Hill neighborhoods.

The relocation of Fire Station 27 from the west side of Interstate 405 to the east side is part of the vision Kirkland’s voters supported when they approved Fire Proposition 1 in 2020. Along with the construction and relocation of fire stations on Finn Hill and in Juanita, the plan includes renovations to fire stations in Central Houghton, North Rose Hill and Forbes Creek Drive.

The new, two-story station will feature three and-a-half bays, eight sleeping rooms, dedicated space for decontamination, bunker gear, basic life support and supply storage.

King County is partnering with the City of Kirkland to pay $50,000 for the half engine bay. In return, its Medic One division will have the right to use that half engine bay for service. The partnership allows Medic 123 to operate out of a Kirkland fire station for the first time in 10 years.

Kirkland’s project engineers expect to complete the fire station in summer 2023.