Olmos Park eyes business lockboxes

The Olmos Park Economic Development Corp. is reimbursing commercial property owners looking to get a Knoxbox — a device that could help firefighters access buildings quickly in an emergency.

The lockbox outside a building would be accessible only to the Olmos Park Fire Department and would contain keys to get into a structure. The EDC will prioritize locations that do not have a Knoxbox and that are in the city’s commercial district in the Mccullough corridor.

If a building does not have a Knoxbox and an owner cannot provide quick access to first responders, firefighters must force their way in. Fire Chief Michael Goodreau said “quick access is paramount” in emergencies, and there is no guarantee that a department can limit damage during a forced entry.

“When we have to force any types of doors, gates,” Goodreau said, “it slows down that emergency response.”

“So the the key is a very good thing,” he said.

The Fire Department found that there are 14 structures in its commercial district that do not have Knoxboxes and four that have one that is too small for the number of keys contained in them.

In 2019, Olmos Park started requiring businesses to have a Knoxbox when obtaining a certificate of occupancy, Goodreau said. Those that don’t have been there since before that requirement was put in place.

The costs of a Knoxbox can vary depending on several factors, but generally owners have an option of a large or small device. Larger boxes tend to be useful for structures that house multiple businesses.

In January, the Olmos Park City Council approved a plan that allows the EDC to put up to $15,000 toward the reimbursements.

For a small box, prices range from $429 to $463 before tax, the fire chief said, and for a large box, it ranges from $694 to $742 before tax. You can apply to get a reimbursement of up to $500 for a small box or $700 for a large one, according to the EDC’S reimbursement application.

Once a Knoxbox is purchased, Goodreau said owners need to connect with the Fire Department to make sure they are in the Olmos Park Fire Department jurisdiction and that the right key is secured in the box.

A reimbursement request must be made by a property owner, according to the application. The owner is allowed one reimbursement per property owned. Applicants have to submit a receipt to prove purchase and installation of a box.

Applications are due Aug. 1 to Olmos Park City Hall at 120 West El Prado Drive. The EDC will consider the applications at an Aug. 9 meeting.