Construction will begin soon on a new Romeoville Fire Station No. 1.
Trustees signed off on $3.8 million in various construction contracts for the new structure at 18 Montrose Dr. The former fire station, which was recently torn down, was built in 1973 and was deteriorating, according to village officials.
“The existing building was in great disrepair,” said Mayor John Noak in a statement. “We reviewed numerous options as well as locations, and rebuilding on the existing site was the best option. We are able to do this using funds on hand and not creating any additional debt.”
The 13,500-square-foot station, designed by Dewberry Architects, also will house administrative offices. The former station was larger, 16,000 square feet, but the new station will provide better usage in the building per square foot, Noak said.
“It’s been a lot of work and effort to modernize the fire department over the last few years,” Noak said at a recent meeting.
Documents indicate that the exterior of the fire house will be stone, brick and siding. The administrative offices will have a separate entrance.
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Romeoville Fire Chief Kent Adams recently said emergency personnel working at Station 1 will operate out of an industrial building until the project is finished. Administrative personnel from Station 1 will work out of other village facilities
Trustee Dave Richard said the village board has been discussing replacing the station for six years. “No one can say we jumped right into this,” he said.
Ruzich is a freelance reporter.
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