Is it better to renovate an existing fire station or tear it down and start from scratch? What factors should you consider in that decision? What factors should you consider? In this podcast, architect Robert Mitchell shares with Editorial Director Janet Wilmoth insights on perceived value versus actual costs, and the diligence and testing that must accompany any construction decision, particularly on an existing site with history.

Mitchell is the principal at Mitchell Associate Architects in Voorheesville, N.Y.

He has more than 30 years experience, but has focused almost exclusively on public-safety facilities since 1993. He has been part of designing, building, evaluating or renovating more than 160 emergency services facilities throughout the Northeastern Seaboard, Missouri, Texas and Alaska. He has completed more than 50 feasibility studies evaluating renovations and additions versus building new, and is the author of the chapter on fire station renovation and additions for the fire station design handbook published by the International Association of Fire Chiefs. He also was a presenter at the 2011 Station Style Conference.