Story posted Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Finishing Touches Await Fire Station 7
Firefighters and local residents gather in the new Station No. 7 garage during Saturday's fire department open house on Glenview Road. (Tom Robb/The Journal)
Glenview residents were given their first tour of the almost complete, new Fire Station No. 7 last weekend.
Plastic fire helmets were given to kids who gleefully sat in a fire truck parked in the front driveway stretching to reach the large steering wheel as they pretended to drive.
Chief Wayne Globerger said he expected to move at least one engine company in last month and an ambulance company in several weeks later.
The current estimate by fire officials is to move in by the second to third week of this month (July). Heavy rains this spring delayed pouring of concrete at the site.
Globerger said though the project is behind schedule it is under budget. The original estimate for the building was $2.6 million. Bids from contractors came in at $2,487,163 and final costs are estimated at $2,483,644.
At last weekend's open house missing ceiling tiles, exterior landscaping and furnishings were among the obvious signs there was still work to do.
Firefighters are known as the best cooks in civil service. Completed in the station was a large open kitchen equipped with three large stainless steel refrigerators, a double oven and range top stove, dish washer and plenty of wood cabinets and marble counters, including a large center island.
Also completed was a large locker room for men and a smaller one for any future women who might be assigned to Station No. 7 (none currently are).
When complete the new station will also feature a weight room, offices and classrooms.
Firefighters are currently living and working out of a trailer at Westbrook School using its warehouse as a garage.
The building is said to be 25% more energy efficient than current state codes call for. It used recycled materials from the demolished old firehouse and brought in locally produced construction materials.
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