FEATURED PROJECT: City of Austin Fire and EMS Station Project
ABOUT THE PROJECT
City of Austin Fire and EMS Stations
LOCATION: Austin, Texas
PROJECT DATES: March 2019 – March 2020
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT VALUE: $68,775,508
CONSTRUCTION TYPE: Design-Build HIGHLIGHTS: Five new, high-performance fire and EMS stations delivered in 6 years to high-need areas across the Austin area
Project Description:
The City of Austin Five Fire & EMS Stations Program represents a transformative investment in public safety infrastructure designed to support Austin’s rapid growth and improve emergency response capabilities across the city. Delivered through an innovative design-build partnership between the City of Austin, JE Dunn Construction, and PGAL, the six-year program included the construction of five strategically located fire and EMS stations that helped the city achieve its goal of reaching emergency incidents within eight minutes or less. The completed facilities provide Austin’s first responders with modern, efficient, and health-focused environments while expanding access to critical emergency services in underserved and rapidly developing areas of the community.
The program encompassed the delivery of five unique stations:
Del Valle Fire and EMS Station
Travis Country Fire and EMS Station
Loop 360 Davenport Ranch Fire and EMS Station
Goodnight Ranch Fire and EMS Station
Canyon Creek Fire and EMS Station
Together, these facilities totaled more than 90,000 square feet of new public safety space and were constructed between 2019 and 2025.
While each station was customized to reflect the character of its surrounding neighborhood, each was designed with a strong emphasis on firefighter and paramedic health, wellness, and operational readiness. Features include advanced decontamination zones, individual sleeping quarters, specialized alerting systems, fitness and training areas, and modern living spaces that support recovery and crew well-being.
Sustainability also played a significant role in the project, with the facilities meeting or exceeding Austin Energy Green Building and LEED Silver performance goals through the incorporation of solar panels, energy-efficient systems, low-flow fixtures, daylight harvesting, and native landscaping.
A key factor in the project’s success included the design-build delivery method, which streamlined design, procurement, and construction activities across all five stations. By maintaining a consistent project team throughout the program, lessons learned from each facility were quickly incorporated into subsequent projects, improving efficiency and reducing overall delivery time. The team also leveraged Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) technologies and 3D model coordination to proactively identify and resolve challenges before construction, helping the project remain on schedule and under budget despite industry-wide challenges such as material escalation and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beyond the buildings themselves, the program delivered lasting community value by enhancing emergency response coverage, reducing pressure on existing resources, supporting first responder wellness, and strengthening public safety throughout Austin’s growing neighborhoods. As a result, the project serves as a model for how collaborative delivery, thoughtful design, and community-focused planning can create meaningful and enduring civic impact.
PROJECT TEAM:
JE Dunn Construction
Eric Keplinger
Senior Project Manager
+1 5126876185
PGAL
Cris Ruebush, AIA LEED AP BD+C
Principal
512-634-5100
This is a featured project from our 2026 Diamond Partner - JE Dunn Construction
