Procurement Department (FS1 Designer Interviews) - 06/15/26

This was a series of procurement-related presentations and interviews held by the Westwood Media Center Programming on June 15, 2026, focused on selecting a design firm for the Fire Station One (FS1) project in Westwood. Four architectural and design firms—Context Architecture, Schwarz Architects, KBA, and Doran Whittier—presented their qualifications, experience, and approaches to addressing the community's needs, budget constraints, and schedule requirements for the fire station replacement project. Key procurement discussions included the firms' strategies for community engagement, cost control, programmatic flexibility, site evaluation, and meeting a tight schedule targeting a November 3rd vote. The committee evaluated each firm’s ability to manage public outreach, incorporate community feedback, and optimize design to reduce size and cost while maintaining functionality. After deliberations, the committee expressed a preference for KBA as the top candidate, followed by Doran Whittier and Context Architecture, with Schwarz Architects ranked last. A motion was passed to request a cost proposal from the selected firms, with plans to notify them and proceed with contract negotiations pending cost evaluations. The meeting emphasized the importance of transparent communication, community involvement, and fiscal responsibility in advancing the FS1 project.