New fire station for Palatine
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On July 14th, The Daily Herald reported that construction on a new fire station in Palatine is set to commence next month. This development follows closely on the heels of ongoing police headquarters construction, which has already drawn attention from residents.
The new fire station, planned for the location at 1215 N. Quentin Road—corner of Echo Lane—is nearing its groundbreaking phase, with work expected to start within the next 30 to 45 days. Recently, the village council unanimously agreed on a contract that caps the guaranteed maximum price of construction at $2.56 million. This figure includes subcontractor bids, construction contingency, construction manager fees, and bond costs. When accounting for additional expenses such as planning, design, furnishings, and administrative costs, the total expenditure for the project stands at approximately $2.98 million, slightly below the allocated $3 million budget.
While there is hope for financial relief through a potential $575,000 commitment from the state via its capital plan, the village remains cautious, preparing alternative funding options just in case the funds don't materialize. Village Manager Reid Ottesen expressed a realistic outlook, stating, "We’re planning for the worst, meaning that we don’t get anything,†while also acknowledging a 50-50 chance of receiving the state's support.
To manage costs efficiently, Palatine plans to issue the first of two bond issues next month to finance both the fire station and the significantly larger $23 million police headquarters. Ottesen explained that splitting the financing into two phases is strategic since neither building will be completed until next year, thus avoiding unnecessary interest payments on borrowed funds.
In an effort to stay within budget, earlier this year, the design of the 8,700-square-foot facility was slightly adjusted. These changes were primarily aesthetic, although they did reduce accommodation capacity to adjust the maximum number of personnel from six to five firefighters. However, any savings achieved might be partially offset if the village decides against waiving its requirement for automatic sprinklers in the noncombustible attic space.
The new satellite fire station is anticipated to be fully operational by March or April. Once completed, the existing Dundee Road station will close down, and the Masonic Lodge will occupy the vacated premises. Fire officials emphasize that this new station is crucial for improving response times to the western and northwestern parts of Palatine compared to the current setup.
Residents can expect these developments to enhance emergency services in their community, ensuring faster and more efficient responses to emergencies in the area.