The project: Lead the seismic rehabilitation of the Cannon Beach Main Fire Station, a vital emergency response facility serving Oregon’s coastal communities.

The goal: Upgrade the existing structure to current seismic standards while maintaining full functionality of the fire station throughout the duration of construction.

Design approach: IMEG developed a targeted seismic strengthening plan focused on exterior interventions, which allowed the team to simultaneously address both structural vulnerabilities and the aging building façade. Originally built in 1995, the fire station lacked key seismic load-transfer components, including in-plane connections at the tops of shear walls and collector elements over the apparatus bay to properly distribute lateral loads. IMEG’s design approach centered around correcting these deficiencies with minimal disruption to station operations.

Coordination efforts: IMEG collaborated closely with the District and the CM/GC to incorporate siding replacement beyond the original seismic scope, allowing the client to capitalize on the construction effort to achieve a full exterior upgrade. By coordinating the additional scope outside of the seismic grant budget, the team delivered both a structurally resilient building and a completely refreshed exterior—resulting in significant cost savings and added long-term value to the District.

Challenge: Unforeseen as-built conditions uncovered during construction—absent from the original construction drawings—posed a key challenge. Solution: IMEG responded by working in close partnership with the CM/GC to identify efficient, cost-effective design adjustments that accommodated existing field conditions without delaying the project.

Project outcome: The Cannon Beach Main Fire Station is now seismically reinforced and features a renewed exterior envelope, ensuring the facility’s resilience and operability in the event of a seismic event. Through thoughtful design, proactive coordination, and adaptive problem-solving, IMEG delivered a successful rehabilitation that will serve and protect the community for years to come.