Jul 24
As mentioned in a previous post, several apparatus shots have been updated on the site to complete listings which had images labeled as ‘coming soon.’
The Daily Herald reported on July 14th that crews will break ground next month for a new fire station in Palatine.
An artist rendering of the new building for Palatine Station 81. Source; The Daily Herald
Palatine residents getting used to the police headquarters construction will soon notice hard hats at a second public safety-related work site.
Crews are expected to break ground within 30 to 45 days on a satellite fire station at 1215 N. Quentin Road, located at the corner of Echo Lane.
The village council on Monday unanimously approved a contract that sets the guaranteed maximum price for construction at $2.56 million. That factors in subcontractor bids, construction contingency, construction manager fee and bond cost.
When combined with planning, design, furnishings and other administrative costs, the total project is coming in at $2.98 million, or just under the $3 million budget.
The village’s burden could prove less if the state releases a $575,000 commitment to the project through its capital plan. Palatine isn’t counting on it and is prepared to secure funding through other means.
“We’re planning for the worst, meaning that we don’t get anything,” Village Manager Reid Ottesen said. “Realistically, I’d put it at a 50-50 chance right now.”
Next month, Palatine will initiate the first of two bond issues in order to fund both the fire station and the much larger $23 million police headquarters. The decision was made to secure funding in two phases, Ottesen said, because the buildings won’t be ready until next year and there’s no point in borrowing the full amount upfront just to pay interest on it.
Earlier this year, the 8,700-square-foot building’s design was scaled back to come in under budget. Changes were mostly cosmetic, though accommodations were reduced to change the maximum number of personnel from six to five firefighters.
The cost savings could be partly erased if the village doesn’t agree to waive its automatic sprinkler requirement in the noncombustible attic space.
The satellite fire station should be operational by March or April. The Dundee Road station will close, and the Masonic Lodge will take over the space.
Fire officials say the new station is necessary in order to improve response times to west and northwest Palatine compared to the current station.
Jun 12
Four apparatus images have been added or updated in the Palatine Fire Department pages in Division 1. Over a year ago, the Palatine stations and apparatus were renumbered through Northwest Central Dispatch from the ‘high teens’ and ‘low twenties’ to the ‘eighties’; stations now are 81-85. Some of the photos that were posted to the site had or still have the old numbers. Ambulance 81 and Dive Squad 81 were just added as well as a new image of Squad 85, formerly Squad 18. There is also a new image of Engine 84.
Here is a delayed post showing the progress on Wheeling’s new Station 24 on Milwaukee Avenue. The new station which will become the fire department headquarters is due to open this spring. Originally, plans called for two new stations which would give Wheeling a total of three. This would have allowed them to vacate their current location at 255 W. Dundee Road (Station 24) which also houses fire administration. This facility used to combine the village hall in addition to the police department. The new village hall was completed last year and renovation for the updated and expanded police department has been underway. Budget constraints have halted plans for the third fire station that would have provided coverage to the northwest portions of Wheeling. Subsequently, the fire department will not be able to completely vacate the station on Dundee Road and will have to maintain a company there.
Wheeling's new Station 24 on Milwaukee Avenue as seen in Mid-February. Photo by Larry Shapiro
Here is an updated photo showing the progress of Wheeling (Division 1) Fire Station 24 being built on Milwaukee Avenue. The last construction photo was posted here.
Wheeling Fire Station 24 as seen on January 12, 2010. - Photo by Larry Shapiro
Here is a recent photo of Station 14 for Mount Prospect (Division 1) which is being built next to the current station #14 on Kensington Road. The previous update was posted here.
Mount Prospect Station 14 construction as of January 21, 2010. - Photo by Larry Shapiro
Several additions and updates have been made to departments in Division 1.
Elk Grove Station 10 has been completed.
Rolling Meadows Station 16 has been updated.
Schaumburg Station 52 has been completed.
Hoffman Estates Station 22 has been added.
Work is progressing on the construction of Mount Prospect‘s new station 14 (Division 1). The apron was poured today and the exterior walls are being completed.
the apron was poured today
the walls are almost complete
The link to the Station 14 page on the website offers a view of the construction as of early September.
The Des Plaines Fire Department (in both Divisions 1 and 3) is awaiting delivery of a replacement for Engine 63. The new rig, from Pierce, will have the same body design as Engines 61 and 62 but the chassis will be different. Engine 63 will feature an Arrow XT chassis while the older, twin engines, were built on Dash chassis.
The following departments are not yet complete, but they have been added to Division 1
Elk Grove Village with 4 stations
Rolling Meadows with 2 stations
Mount Prospect with 3 stations. There is a construction shot included of the new firehouse to replace station 14
The following departments in Division 1 have been added:
Schaumburg (5 stations with only 2 rigs missing)
Palatine Rural (complete)
Palatine (5 stations with several rigs to catch up on)
Hoffman Estates (2 of the 4 stations are posted … missing a patch and a few rigs)
For the finest department portraits and composites contact Tim Olk or Larry Shapiro.
