THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2008
Meeting To Bring Fire Station Closer
By RICHARD MAYER
Journal Reporter
Within the next couple weeks, a meeting will be held between attorneys from the Village of Mt. Prospect, River Trails Park District and River Trails School Dist. 26 to attempt to finalize a contract allowing a new $8.5 million Fire Station 14 to be constructed on the village's northeast side.
"I hope they can iron out the contract then, because once we get everyone on the same page, we can then present plans to the three boards for final approval," said Fire Chief Mike Figolah.
Figolah said legality issues need to be worked out between the attorneys, but he couldn't divulge what those issues were at this time.
According to Dist. 26 Supt. Dr. Dane Delli, Park District Executive Director Debbie Carlson contacted him last August about the park district possibly moving a softball field to River Trails Middle School so a new fire station could be built in its place on Kensington Road near River.
The new fire station would be built next to the current one. The future site is currently home to the Tamarack Trails park area.
The new fire station would span 20,724 sq. ft. The existing building has only 5,100 sq. ft. of available space and is located partly in a floorway.
Delli said the softball field at River Trails would be used for physical education classes. He also said there wouldn't be any monetary compensation; just a lease agreement that would state the school district would remain property owner.
Figolah has said on many occasions that it is time for a new fire station on the village's north side.
According to SRBL Architects representative Jake Davis, the existing building is "grossly" inadequate for modern fire department operations. In addition, many spaces are not provided that would be considered standard in a new facility.
The existing Fire Station 14 was originally intended as a temporary solution for providing response to the northeast portion of the village. This "temporary" accommodation was created in 1971.
According to Figolah, the current station would be torn down once a new station is built.
In early April, village staff received authorization to move forward with SRBL Architects and work on designs for a new station, after elected officials voted 4 to 2 to waive the request for proposal (RFP) process.
Figolah said he and village staff met with SRBL representatives this past Monday to work out a contract for the new station.
The project would also consist of constructing an addition for the Public Works Dept. and an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for additional costs.
SRBL Architects completed projects for the village in the past, and village staff recommended the firm again based on their performance history.
In 2006, the village developed an RFP/Qualifications for firms to conduct a space needs study for the facilities eventually identified in the Fire, Police, and Public Works departments. SRBL was awarded the contract.
Design plans are expected to be presented to the village board for the first of two readings at the Tuesday, May 20 village board meeting.