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Protests fail to stop new fire station; News
Copyright 2003 Gale Group, Inc.
ASAP
Copyright 2003 Paddock Publications
Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL)
July 9, 2003
Byline: Amy McLaughlin Daily Herald Staff Writer
A proposal for a $ 9 million Des Plaines fire station and headquarters on the city's south side is moving forward, despite complaints from nearby neighbors it won't fit in with surrounding houses.
After hours of arguing and debate, a 7-1 majority of aldermen selected a design for the building and awarded an architectural contract to Sente, Rubel Bosman and Lee Architects.
The contract calls for the firm to be paid 6.5 percent of construction cost.
The city already owns the land for the proposed site at the southwest corner of Lee Street and Prospect Lane West. The land cost about $ 2 million.
The 38,000-square-foot station will replace Fire Station No. 2 on Oakton Street and will be built to include the department's administrative headquarters (currently located in Fire Station No. 1). It will have offices, a living area for firefighters, a training room and five bays for fire equipment.
The firefighters who will use this station are currently working out of a Rosemont fire station while repairs are made to the roof of the Oakton Street station. The city is spending about $ 190,000 to bolster a sagging roof over the equipment bays.
Aldermen put off any decision on funding the new station for at least two weeks while they discuss their options. The earliest construction could start on a new station is 2004.
First Ward Alderman Patricia K. Beauvais, who chairs the public safety committee, said aldermen are looking at ways to pay for the project other than borrowing money that will be paid off by taxpayers.
"I think it will be a good investment in the community," Beauvais said.
If the construction cost is entirely funded by borrowing or selling bonds, it could cost the owner of a home worth $ 400,000 an additional $ 55 to $ 60 a year, Beauvais said.
Discussion on the station became heated Monday when nearby residents complained about its size, location and potential impact on the neighborhood.
Fifth Ward Alderman Carla Brookman, who was the lone vote against the contract, accused other aldermen of not listening to residents.
"I am opposed to this location and I'm also opposed, and so are they (residents) to the extravagant price of $ 17 million," Brookman said.
The $ 17 million includes the cost of the land and building, plus nearly $ 6 million in interest over the life of a 20-year loan.
Several nearby residents said the new station may contribute to flooding and increase traffic in a residential area.
"You're talking about five bays and a full basement in my back yard," nearby resident Mary Rohde said. "Listen to us."
Brookman said she'd rather see the city buy more land around the present Oakton Street station and build a new and larger station at that location.
Fire Chief Tom Farinella, however, said city officials have had their eyes on the new site for a future fire station for at least 10 years. He said it is more centrally located.
A few aldermen pointed out this site was selected two years ago and they have had several public meetings with residents since then.
"Property was purchased. It's going there," 2nd Ward Alderman Thomas J. Christiansen said.
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Hello? It's a friggin' fire house you boobs. AGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH!!!!
People amaze me with their stupidity sometimes. Oh no, I don't want the firehouse in my neighborhood. I'd rather have to wait for a longer amount of time for a fire truck or an ambulance. And this nonsense about heavier traffic, come on. This gets rediculous sometimes. Maybe I'm just getting totally loopy in my old age but I can't believe people are complaining about this.
Copyright 2003 Gale Group, Inc.
ASAP
Copyright 2003 Paddock Publications
Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL)
July 9, 2003
Byline: Amy McLaughlin Daily Herald Staff Writer
A proposal for a $ 9 million Des Plaines fire station and headquarters on the city's south side is moving forward, despite complaints from nearby neighbors it won't fit in with surrounding houses.
After hours of arguing and debate, a 7-1 majority of aldermen selected a design for the building and awarded an architectural contract to Sente, Rubel Bosman and Lee Architects.
The contract calls for the firm to be paid 6.5 percent of construction cost.
The city already owns the land for the proposed site at the southwest corner of Lee Street and Prospect Lane West. The land cost about $ 2 million.
The 38,000-square-foot station will replace Fire Station No. 2 on Oakton Street and will be built to include the department's administrative headquarters (currently located in Fire Station No. 1). It will have offices, a living area for firefighters, a training room and five bays for fire equipment.
The firefighters who will use this station are currently working out of a Rosemont fire station while repairs are made to the roof of the Oakton Street station. The city is spending about $ 190,000 to bolster a sagging roof over the equipment bays.
Aldermen put off any decision on funding the new station for at least two weeks while they discuss their options. The earliest construction could start on a new station is 2004.
First Ward Alderman Patricia K. Beauvais, who chairs the public safety committee, said aldermen are looking at ways to pay for the project other than borrowing money that will be paid off by taxpayers.
"I think it will be a good investment in the community," Beauvais said.
If the construction cost is entirely funded by borrowing or selling bonds, it could cost the owner of a home worth $ 400,000 an additional $ 55 to $ 60 a year, Beauvais said.
Discussion on the station became heated Monday when nearby residents complained about its size, location and potential impact on the neighborhood.
Fifth Ward Alderman Carla Brookman, who was the lone vote against the contract, accused other aldermen of not listening to residents.
"I am opposed to this location and I'm also opposed, and so are they (residents) to the extravagant price of $ 17 million," Brookman said.
The $ 17 million includes the cost of the land and building, plus nearly $ 6 million in interest over the life of a 20-year loan.
Several nearby residents said the new station may contribute to flooding and increase traffic in a residential area.
"You're talking about five bays and a full basement in my back yard," nearby resident Mary Rohde said. "Listen to us."
Brookman said she'd rather see the city buy more land around the present Oakton Street station and build a new and larger station at that location.
Fire Chief Tom Farinella, however, said city officials have had their eyes on the new site for a future fire station for at least 10 years. He said it is more centrally located.
A few aldermen pointed out this site was selected two years ago and they have had several public meetings with residents since then.
"Property was purchased. It's going there," 2nd Ward Alderman Thomas J. Christiansen said.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Hello? It's a friggin' fire house you boobs. AGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH!!!!
People amaze me with their stupidity sometimes. Oh no, I don't want the firehouse in my neighborhood. I'd rather have to wait for a longer amount of time for a fire truck or an ambulance. And this nonsense about heavier traffic, come on. This gets rediculous sometimes. Maybe I'm just getting totally loopy in my old age but I can't believe people are complaining about this.
] and I think its great. Not because I am a memeber, but because I know that it is that close, and that the crew all live within a 3 minute sprint to the nearest truck. From the sounds of it, this new station is a full time unit, which means 7/24 hour close coverage for the locals. Apparently they don't see that. Too bad for them, I wonder which one will be the first to dial "IX-II" on the nearest Roman/Greko call box at the first signs of trouble?????? Because it seems to me this is where their thinking comes from; sometime around 1000BC.
(Me)
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