Planned $25.5M Fire Training Campus Bond and Build-Out

Unified Fire Authority’s FY 2026–2027 tentative budget includes a major capital initiative to renovate and redesign its fire training campus, which leadership describes as long overdue. A six‑month feasibility study with AJC Architects has produced a needs assessment, conceptual design, and cost estimate, and the agency now plans to finance approximately $25.5 million for the project via a 20‑year tax‑exempt conduit bond through the Unified Fire Service Area (UFSA), with projected annual debt service around $1.84 million. The current budget message emphasizes that the temporary classroom facility has reached end of life, zoning changes have increased residential encroachment, and there is no dedicated fitness space due to turnout gear and apparatus occupying the area. The training campus plan is intended to support UFA’s operational and training needs for the next 30+ years and is a central driver of current budget decisions, including cuts and deferrals in other divisions to prioritize this project. For vendors, this signals a large upcoming design, construction, and systems program spanning facilities, live‑fire props, technology, AV, fitness, and training infrastructure; while financing is being structured, detailed scope, phasing, and procurement strategy are still being developed, making this a high‑value pre‑RFP engagement window.