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The seismically deficient, 1960s-era Fire Station No. 2 in Ashland will be torn down and replaced next year, thanks to a $3 million bond approved by voters.

The new, two-story, 10,500-square-foot facility will be designed to fit in with other civic buildings in Ashland, said Hans Ettlin, a principal with .

鈥淭hey are trying to make their stations look similar; people can readily identify a civic building,鈥� he said.

The new station will be along a major avenue of transportation: Ashland Road. The building will have a front entry and improved street presence, Ettlin said.

Though the team had initially planned a brick building, a budget reduction resulted in stucco being chosen. The building also will have large windows to add verticality, Ettlin said.

The interior will include a training facility, offices and traditional elements such as a fire pole. The apparatus bay will hold up to six fire engines.

A Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating won’t be pursued; however, green elements are planned. These include a photovoltaic system and a solar hot-water system. Also, 75 percent of the old fire station will be reused, mostly as fill material.

In addition, the design calls for an automated 鈥渢ap-out鈥� system that senses what is happening in the building. For example, when a company leaves suddenly, the system will regulate heat and lighting to conserve energy.

Ettlin, Jay Fesler, Jeff Bringenberg and Diony Lopez are part of Peck Smiley Ettlin Architects’ design team. Other project team members include , electrical and mechanical engineering; , structural engineering; , civil engineering; and , landscape architecture.

Ettlin expects the project to open to bids from contractors in late January 2012.

鈥淥n the Boards鈥� is a weekly feature that spotlights local firms’ best design work. Submissions from architectural and engineering firms are encouraged. Please email [email protected] or call 503-802-7240.