Pendleton Fire Station #1

 
McCormack Construction partnered with the City of Pendleton on a ground-up fire station designed to expand emergency response capabilities for the community and surrounding rural areas. The $7.7 million project was completed in 2019 under the leadership of Interim Fire Chief Shawn Penninger and represents a critical investment in public safety infrastructure for Pendleton and eastern Oregon. The facility provides essential resources for full-time firefighters and EMT services serving rural communities throughout the region.
 
The project involved construction of a new 22,332-square-foot fire station located at 1455 SE Court Avenue. The facility includes a two-story administration building with 11 upper-level sleeping quarters and a five-bay apparatus bay designed to house the department’s emergency response vehicles and equipment. McCormack served as CM/GC, delivering a fully functional station tailored to support modern fire and emergency medical operations. The project scope also included installation of a new SE 15th Street as part of the site development.
 
Key challenges included working within the constraints of a rural community with a limited budget while adhering to a tight 14-month construction schedule. Balancing the fire department’s operational requirements with budgetary limitations required extensive collaboration and strategic planning throughout pre-construction and construction phases. The compressed timeline demanded efficient coordination and strict schedule management to ensure the facility would be ready for occupancy without delays that could impact emergency services.
 
To address these challenges, McCormack worked closely with the owner and Interim Fire Chief Penninger to ensure accurate programming and facility flow aligned with operational requirements. Massive value engineering efforts during pre-construction were essential to controlling costs and maintaining project feasibility without compromising the station’s functionality or safety standards. The team maintained strict schedule adherence and continuous communication with the owner’s representative throughout construction, ensuring milestones were met and any adjustments were made efficiently.
 
Pendleton Fire Station #1 was completed on time and under budget, establishing a strong relationship with the City of Pendleton. For McCormack Construction, this project demonstrates expertise in complex public safety facility construction, effective value engineering, and the ability to deliver essential emergency services infrastructure that serves both urban and rural communities while meeting stringent budgetary and scheduling requirements.