CHANGES BEGIN NEAR VILLAGE OFFICES FOR CONSTRUCTION OF NEW FIRE STATION - ACCESS DRIVE/PARKING AT VILLAGE HALL WILL CHANGE SOON
PROJECT BACKGROUND
As part of the 2014 budgeting process, the Village announced plans to borrow funds to relocate and reconstruct Fire Station #1. The existing station will no longer accommodate the amount (or size) of fire apparatus and personnel necessary to protect the eastern side of the Village. Most notably, the existing station is no longer functional because the apparatus bays have become too small and inadequate to house the larger and lengthier ladder and pumper tanker trucks.
Prior to making a decision to relocate and reconstruct the station, the Village evaluated several factors including: where current and future planned fire stations are and will be located and where fire apparatus is stored; call response times within a radius of those locations (looking for any gaps in coverage); which areas of the Village have fire hydrants and which do not; the areas where near-term future growth will occur; and the practicality/possibility of renovating the existing Station #1. After evaluating the factors related to life safety and the protection of large financial assets, staff concluded that it would be logistically difficult and problematic to continue dispatching personnel and apparatus from Fire Station #1 while attempting to construct an expansion. Planning for the new building and the surrounding traffic flow has been taking place throughout the first half of 2014.
RECENT PROGRESS
This May, site and operational plans were considered and approved for the project. The new fire station will be constructed just north of Village Hall (east of 39th Avenue, south of Springbrook Road). The building will have a total of 17,600 square feet and will offer a four-door (front and back) drive-through apparatus bay and room to care for and store related fire and rescue equipment. The station will also house: a watch room; offices; a conference and training room; a staff dormitory; kitchen and dining area; dayroom; turnout gear room; and a mezzanine with training and practice areas. After the station is complete, the former fire station will be converted into a new auditorium and meeting space. Improvements will be made to parking areas surrounding Village Hall, and the entrance area will be reconfigured.
APPROXIMATE PROJECT TIMELINE
Site work for the project is now underway and is expected to be complete later this fall. A plan showing the site work that will occur is available by clicking "View PDF" below. The site north of Village Hall has been cleared of brush and grading has begun. During August: utilities for the northern portion of the site should be installed and work will begin to construct four parking lots on the site (including a new parking lot for residents visiting Village Hall). In September, work to install curb, gutter and sidewalks on the site will take place and paving should be completed. Work on the exterior of the new fire station will also begin soon with the goal of having the building enclosed before winter weather arrives. Work on the interior of the station will take place over the winter months, with an expected completion date in the summer of 2015.
CHANGE IN ACCESS TO VILLAGE HALL
With the site changes, access to Village Hall will soon be modified. Access to Village Hall from 39th Avenue will be closed permanently and new access points from Springbrook Road and 100th Street at 38th Avenue will be constructed. Directional signage will be placed at the site prior to the change.
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