Concept Station 2

3 or 4 bay garage, classroom, restrooms, storage. Don’t mind the front entry way, this is just a quick auto-render… :) —Bcweis

Rough total estimated cost: $450,000 – $750,000 (midpoint around $550k–$650k) for a simple pole-type metal building in Forks Township, PA, as of 2026.

This is a high-level ballpark for turnkey construction (building shell + basic interior finishes + concrete slab + pavement). Actual bids could vary ±20–30% based on final design, contractor, material prices, and site specifics. Utilities are already on site, which helps significantly.

### Key Assumptions for Sizing (Based on the Concept)

From the Station 2 concept page (3–4 bay garage + classroom, restrooms, storage):

- 3 bays with 16 ft wide doors each (standard for fire apparatus).

- To comfortably fit a Pierce Tower 2521 ladder truck (typical dimensions: ~41–46 ft long, ~10–11 ft high, wide body): Bays need ~50–60 ft depth (truck + maneuvering space), 18–20 ft width per bay for equipment access, and 16–18 ft clear height.

- Living/support area on the left: Classroom (~1,000–1,200 sq ft for 40 people), male/female bathrooms, small kitchenette, small storage. Total support ~1,500–2,500 sq ft.

Estimated total building footprint: ~4,000–6,000 sq ft (e.g., 60–80 ft wide x 60–80 ft deep overall, with bays taking the majority). A 3-bay setup might be ~50–60 ft wide for the garage portion + 20–30 ft for the support wing.

### Cost Breakdown (Pole/Metal Building, Simple Construction)

Pole buildings (post-frame/metal) are cost-effective for this use. PA costs typically range $20–$45+/sq ft for finished functional space (higher end for commercial/fire use with larger doors, reinforced slab, basic HVAC/plumbing/electrical).

- Building shell + erection (metal structure, roof, walls, 16 ft overhead doors x3, basic insulation): $20–$35/sq ft.

- Concrete slab (reinforced for heavy fire trucks): $8–$15/sq ft (critical due to vehicle weight).

- Interior finishes (classroom walls/floors, basic kitchenette, bathrooms with plumbing tie-ins, storage): Adds $5–$15/sq ft.

- Electrical, basic HVAC, plumbing tie-ins (utilities on site): $3–$8/sq ft.

- Permits/engineering (Forks Township building/zoning): Several thousand (permits required for new commercial building).

Per sq ft total: ~$35–$55 for a simple but functional build (garage-focused with basic livable support space). For 5,000 sq ft: $175k–$275k just for the building.

### Pavement Estimate

Assume an apron/driveway/parking area in front (e.g., 60–80 ft wide x 50–80 ft deep = 3,000–6,000 sq ft) for truck access and parking.

- Asphalt paving in PA: $3–$8/sq ft installed (new, including base prep).

- For ~4,000–5,000 sq ft: $15,000 – $40,000.

### Factors That Could Increase/Decrease Cost

- Lower end ($450k–$550k): Very basic pole barn, minimal insulation/finishes, DIY/general contractor, good bids.

- Higher end ($650k–$750k+): Better insulation/HVAC for classroom, code-compliant fire features, site grading surprises, inflation on steel/concrete.

- Site advantages: Utilities on site reduce hookup costs.

- Location (Easton, PA): Moderate labor/material costs; check Forks Township zoning/building permits early.

- Exclusions: Land acquisition, major site work, fancy finishes, full commercial kitchen, advanced systems (generators, etc.).

Recommendations: Get 3–4 bids from local pole building companies (e.g., those experienced with municipal/fire stations). Provide them the concept render and truck specs for accurate quotes. Engineering for the slab and wind/snow loads in PA is essential. Costs have been rising with steel and labor, so 2026 numbers are approximate.

This is an estimate only—professional architect/engineer and contractor quotes are needed for precision.