The *Daily Herald* reported on July 14 that construction crews will begin work next month on a new fire station in Palatine, marking another major step in the village's public safety infrastructure improvements.
A recent artist rendering of the upcoming Palatine Fire Department Station 81 was shared by the newspaper, showing a modern design for the facility located at 1215 N. Quentin Road, near Echo Lane. The image highlights the building’s sleek and functional layout, which is set to serve the growing western part of the community.
Residents who have been seeing construction at the police headquarters will soon notice similar activity at this new fire station site. According to the village, crews are expected to start work within the next 30 to 45 days. The project has already received approval from the village council, with a guaranteed maximum price of $2.56 million for construction. This includes subcontractor bids, contingency funds, and other related expenses.
When factoring in planning, design, furnishings, and administrative costs, the total project cost comes in just under the $3 million budget. However, there’s still potential for savings if the state releases a $575,000 commitment through its capital plan. While the village is hopeful, officials aren’t counting on it and are prepared to find alternative funding sources.
Village Manager Reid Ottesen emphasized the cautious approach, saying, “We’re planning for the worst, meaning that we don’t get anything.†He added that while he believes there’s a 50-50 chance of receiving the state funding, the village is ready to move forward regardless.
To fund both the new fire station and the larger $23 million police headquarters, Palatine will issue two bond measures. The decision to split the funding into two phases was made to avoid unnecessary interest costs, as neither building will be completed until next year.
Earlier this year, the design of the 8,700-square-foot station was revised to stay within budget. Most changes were cosmetic, though the number of firefighters allowed on duty was reduced from six to five. Some of the cost savings could be offset if the village does not waive the automatic sprinkler requirement in the noncombustible attic space.
Once completed, the new fire station is expected to open in March or April. The existing Dundee Road station will be closed, and the space will be taken over by the Masonic Lodge. Officials say the new location is essential for improving emergency response times in west and northwest Palatine, where demand for services has grown significantly.
Wenzhou Deli Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd. , https://www.sungoodtech.com