Body of News Release
Marin County, CA – The Marin County Board of Supervisors approved a Phase 1 progressive design-build contract for a new Marin County Fire Department Headquarters and Fire Station, awarding the contract to McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. (McCarthy) and COAR Design Group (COAR) on July 7.
The new headquarters represents the County’s largest construction investment, with an expected design and construction cost of $71 million.
This milestone follows the Board’s June 2025 decision approving the County’s first use of a progressive design-build construction method for the project. With the July 7 action, the County launches Phase 1 under a $3,093,768 contract for schematic and design development work, including a 10% contingency of $309,377 for early-stage refinement.
Unlike the traditional design-bid-build method the County has historically used — where projects are fully designed, publicly bid, and awarded to the lowest responsible bidder — the progressive design-build approach selects a qualified team first and then develops the project collaboratively, taking into account community input, before setting scope and price. The approach also allows construction to begin sooner on some parts of the project while others are still being designed, which speeds up the overall project schedule and reduces costs.
The San Geronimo Commons site has been formally designated as the future home of the new fire headquarters, consolidating a fire station, training center, and support facilities into one location. Centrally positioned, the site offers improved roadway access and a more strategic setting to support faster response times for the broader San Geronimo Valley and meet modern fire service standards — a significant improvement from the current headquarters in Woodacre. The new campus will feature updated safety systems, expanded fleet and equipment space, and inclusive living quarters designed to support the firefighters who serve the San Geronimo Valley and surrounding communities.
Community input has guided the project from the start through on-site events, virtual meetings and stakeholder outreach. Community feedback will continue to shape the project, with ongoing outreach including another Coffee at the Commons event introducing the design team at 9 AM on Saturday, July 25, at the San Geronimo Commons.
“We’re proud to take this important step to strengthen our emergency response capabilities and better serve the communities who rely on us,” said Marin County Fire Chief Jason Weber. “We appreciate the community’s continued partnership and look forward to working closely together as the project moves forward as we design a headquarters that reflects community values, supports our mission, and remains true to the spirit of the San Geronimo Valley.”
Phase 1 of the design-build project is expected to begin with the Notice to Proceed in July 2026 and will take approximately five to six months to complete. Board consideration of the Notice to Proceed for Phase 2 is scheduled for early 2027 and will include final design, construction documents, permitting, and project closeout. Construction is planned to begin in Fall of 2027, with work estimated to take 18 months to complete.
See the County website for more information about the fire headquarters project.