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Fautt Homes will partner with the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District to build the new Fire Station 32 in Alamo at cost, it was announced at the district board meeting Dec. 17.
Custom home builder Jeff Fautt, president and founder of Fautt Homes, addressed the board and pledged to build the new Fire Station 32 as a way to give back to his community and create a legacy for his family.
“I wish to donate the construction of the firehouse to the community of Alamo,” said Fautt.
Fautt, an Alamo resident, has been following the planning process of the new station and wanted to play a much larger and significant role in its completion.
Plans to move the station, which was built in the 1950s, from its current location on Stone Valley Road to less than a mile east to the corner of Miranda has met with some opposition from neighbors.
Fautt noted that his father was in fire service, and his fond memories of time spent at his father’s firehouse helped lead him to this decision.
“The Fire District is humbled by the generosity expressed by Jeff Fautt this evening. Jeff’s love of community and of the fire service is truly an inspiration to all of us, said Fire Chief Richard Price. “Jeff’s vast home building experience will help the District ensure an exceptional finished product for the residents of Alamo. We will work diligently in the coming months to see through the details of this rare and very special offer.”
The proposed design calls for a 9,255-square-foot station, which includes 5,153 square feet in living space. It is modeled after the last two stations the District has built that are both about 10,000 square feet.
For more information on the new Fire Station 32 project, visit www.firedepartment.org/fs32.
By Dolores Fox Ciardelli
Merry Christmas residents of Alamo! I think we have a new top contender for Alamo Citizen of the Year. It must be nice to be rich…
Thank you Mr. Fautt and happy holidays.
Outstanding! What a Merry Christmas present to Alamo.
I hope the Wolske’s are wearing their adult diapers when they read this article. Alamo’s public enemy #1 and #2 won’t be too pleased to hear Jeff has joined the project. Jeff is a true pro, loves this town with all his heart, and doesn’t think much of nonsense and delays the fire department has been subjected to. Listen to your agent and lower the price to market value ($995,000) and you’ll be free of this town you so despise.
Thank you Jeff! You are a good man.
Wait a minute…
Reading the Danville Express story above, one is left with the distinct impression that Mr. Fautt will build the fire station “at cost” and will “donate the construction of the firehouse to the community of Alamo.” I’m left with that impression because that’s exactly what the story says.
However, the Contra Costa Times story on the same topic, reporting on the same meeting says that Mr. Fautt will “oversee the construction of a new fire station in Alamo.” The CC Times further notes that he will waive his general contracting fee for the project. Construction costs, materials, labor and materials would still be paid for by the district.
There are some semantic differences, for sure. I guess it’s still a generous offer, but not quite as generous as the Danville Express article would have you believe.
Shouldn’t this project be competetively bid out and awarded to the lowest bidder in accordance with the fire districts own rules? There is no shortage of contractors needing work now. It seems like a generous offer but my suspicious nature wonders if there is a tax deduction in the offing or some nefarious arrangement with subcontractors selected for the job. Maybe rules are in place for a reason and he can “donate” in a more conventional fashion. Never mind we don’t need a new fire station
Yes! The Wolskes have finally arrived on the blog, and, big surprise, they are opposed to Mr. Fautt donating a year of his time and expertise to the fire department – who could have predicted that. Some might say that if Jeff truly loved the community he would buy the Wolske debacle house instead and rid us their insistent self-interest lobbying. But no need, a few more price drops (added to the dozen or so to date) and they’ll be gone anyway.
Someone please help to resolve the differences between Ed/Nanci and the fireman. I am a parent at Nanci’s school and she can hardly talk about ANYTHING else – to peers, colleagues, parents, even in the classroom (I don’t think any of her kids are going to grow up wanting to be fireman). Parents of her kids don’t know what to do and think she is very distracted and troubled. Many have complained to the district but they may be powerless because of tenure. It is almost intolerable for them and word is out making Nanci a teacher to avoid at all cost next year. Our District (not San Ramon) already faces many challenges. We don’t need the express adding fuel to this situation. Please give them a break here and stop comments on this article. They have been trying to sell their house for nearly two years and they are lashing out in desperation which is understandable. Maybe the fire dept. could make her house payments until the house sells or some other olive branch as a peace offering. Am sure all the delays and lawyers are costing them way more money than if they could just buy some peace.
I wouldn’t lose any sleep over the SRV fire department taking a bad deal. I have worked with them for many years. They are exceptionally well managed, smart, and retain the best legal counsel money can buy. If they think this is a good deal, it is. If they don’t like it they will walk away in an instant or negotiate for what they want – guaranteed.
Ya, that’s interesting what Pshaw said. This article definitely makes Fautt out to be more generous than he really is. Overseeing something for free is a big difference than building for free. I wonder why this media sources wants us to like developers?
So donating a year of your time for the benefit of your neighbors is not generous? Rick, when was the last time you donated 8-5, Monday through Friday of your time for an entire year? The article is spin? Next time just say thank you and you won’t appear to be such a jacka$$.
I rather doubt that Fautt is going to go 8-5, 5 days out of 7, for a whole year on one project. He’ll probably delegate to his site foreman.
Oh, I’m sorry – labor is not included. So what is he actually donating???
I am glad that the builder guy wants to give us a new firehouse. Firehouses are good because firemen can live there, and firemen put out fires. But no one cares what the painter thinks. That’s ok.
The Danville Weekly would do well to check the facts when it reports that Mr. Fautt “will partner with the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District…” . Mr. Fautt walked into the Board Meeting and “offered” his services. Unless there has been some behind-the-scenes dealings with the Fire District, this is not a done deal. However, I do find it interesting that a photographer was on hand to capture his offer.
In looking at the department website it seems photographers and reporters are common at FD meetings. The agenda also shows the California State Fire Marshal and County Supervisor Mary Piepho made presentations to Chief Price for what appear to be significant personal accomplishments. Seems like something the department would have a photographer on hand for. And do really think this was the first time Mr. Fautt had ever spoken to someone at the department? I would be shocked if the fire department didn’t expect his public presentation. So much for your ridiculous conspiracy theory. Everyone knows what you are up to (stop embarrassing yourself).
Apparently, my comments were misunderstood. My intent was to show that I doubt that the Fire District (who obviously was aware that the gentleman would be offering his services and is equaly aware of the legalities of the Brown Act requiring things to be done out in the open with the public’s knowledge) would have already MADE an agreement without following procedure and therefore it should not have been reported as such.
I applaud people coming forward to help, particularly in this time of fiscal distress, but others should be given the same opportunity and hopefully this will result in even more and greater saving to our community. When the article stated that the partnership was already formed, it assumed the process is closed.
The Contra Costa Times reporting is more accurate and less slanted. Their article reads in part,
“How much the district would save with Fautt’s offer is yet to be determined, as are the exact details and how his offer would play in the public bidding process. The Fire District has a strict bidding process, [Fire Chief] Price said. It makes a public announcement of a construction project and has a series of meetings for potential contractors.
We really have to work that out,” Price said. “We’re not exactly sure how this whole process will go. We have to fully understand what the process is, and that we’re following a process that is fair and that is legal and that is in the best interest of our citizens.”
The Chief and Fire Board are on top of the legalities.