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Arsenal fire, police station expanding
By Janeé Jackson
Sept. 29, 2006
The Dispatch and Rock Island Argus
A 19,000-square-foot expansion and renovation of the Rock Island Arsenal's fire and police station will give firefighters and police officers more space.
Local and state leaders joined Arsenal garrison manager Alan Wilson and fire chief Richard Reed at a groundbreaking for the $8 million-plus project Thursday. The 140-year-old building will be renovated to include a central fire alarm system, sprinkler system, and combined dispatch center for fire and police. The kitchen, dining and living areas, and existing training spaces also will be renovated. Vehicle bays for fire trucks and emergency response vehicles will be built, and an overhead exhaust system installed. Mr. Wilson said the work is "long overdue," and will give the staff a "work environment that allows them to prepare to do their job." The building, built in 1874, has been renovated several times. However, its size, aging utilities and current infrastructure couldn't accommodate both departments. With 46 full-time police officers and 29 full-time firefighters, Mr. Wilson said some of the staff and equipment have been moved to different buildings on the island. "The fire department really needed some changes, and they're going to get those changes." Col. Raymond Midkiff, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District in Louisville, Ky., said he's looking forward to partnering with the garrison on the project. The project will be paid for with federal and taxpayer money, Mr. Wilson said. Construction is scheduled to be completed in November 2007 and officers and firefighters will be able to move in by March 2008.
Arsenal's biggest construction project in 20 years starts
By Deirdre Cox Baker
Quad-City Times
Sept. 29, 2006
Twelve people grasping a dozen shovels eagerly dug in the dirt Thursday morning to officially begin the biggest construction project in 20 years on Arsenal Island.The $8 million plan is for a 19,000-square-foot addition to combine and enlarge the facility's police and fire stations."This is long overdue," Garrison Manager Alan Wilson said, noting that the original station dates to 1874. "When it's done, we'll have a state-of-the-art facility. It'll be the finest police and fire department in the Army, no, make that in the whole Department of Defense." The current building is made of limestone with a wood frame roof in a Greek Revival style like many structures on the island. There is a three-story tower that was added in 1919. Work on the new project actually will start in November, and it will be ready for occupancy in about two years, Wilson said. Renovation and construction includes vehicle bays for emergency equipment, some of which is now stored at various places on Arsenal Island. There will be a new overhead vehicle exhaust system and a central fire alarm and dispatch center. Living and training spaces will be updated, including the kitchen, sleeping quarters, physical fitness and shower areas. Beyond its work on the island, the Arsenal Fire Department participates in mutual-aid calls across the Quad-Cities, especially in Rock Island, Moline and Bettendorf. The department responds to two or three mutual-aid calls per month, Fire Chief Richard Reed said. More often, the Arsenal sends its ambulances and their crews out in emergency situations.
Officials were smiling and upbeat in the sunny but chilly Thursday morning weather. "You couldn't ask for a better day for a groundbreaking," said Col. Raymond G. Midkiff, commander of the Louisville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. "Whoever is in charge of the weather needs a raise."
Wilson presided over the shovel ceremony and joked at its conclusion, "You've got to keep digging. This is the foundation."
Arsenal fire, police station expanding
By Janeé Jackson
Sept. 29, 2006
The Dispatch and Rock Island Argus
A 19,000-square-foot expansion and renovation of the Rock Island Arsenal's fire and police station will give firefighters and police officers more space.
Local and state leaders joined Arsenal garrison manager Alan Wilson and fire chief Richard Reed at a groundbreaking for the $8 million-plus project Thursday. The 140-year-old building will be renovated to include a central fire alarm system, sprinkler system, and combined dispatch center for fire and police. The kitchen, dining and living areas, and existing training spaces also will be renovated. Vehicle bays for fire trucks and emergency response vehicles will be built, and an overhead exhaust system installed. Mr. Wilson said the work is "long overdue," and will give the staff a "work environment that allows them to prepare to do their job." The building, built in 1874, has been renovated several times. However, its size, aging utilities and current infrastructure couldn't accommodate both departments. With 46 full-time police officers and 29 full-time firefighters, Mr. Wilson said some of the staff and equipment have been moved to different buildings on the island. "The fire department really needed some changes, and they're going to get those changes." Col. Raymond Midkiff, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District in Louisville, Ky., said he's looking forward to partnering with the garrison on the project. The project will be paid for with federal and taxpayer money, Mr. Wilson said. Construction is scheduled to be completed in November 2007 and officers and firefighters will be able to move in by March 2008.
Arsenal's biggest construction project in 20 years starts
By Deirdre Cox Baker
Quad-City Times
Sept. 29, 2006
Twelve people grasping a dozen shovels eagerly dug in the dirt Thursday morning to officially begin the biggest construction project in 20 years on Arsenal Island.The $8 million plan is for a 19,000-square-foot addition to combine and enlarge the facility's police and fire stations."This is long overdue," Garrison Manager Alan Wilson said, noting that the original station dates to 1874. "When it's done, we'll have a state-of-the-art facility. It'll be the finest police and fire department in the Army, no, make that in the whole Department of Defense." The current building is made of limestone with a wood frame roof in a Greek Revival style like many structures on the island. There is a three-story tower that was added in 1919. Work on the new project actually will start in November, and it will be ready for occupancy in about two years, Wilson said. Renovation and construction includes vehicle bays for emergency equipment, some of which is now stored at various places on Arsenal Island. There will be a new overhead vehicle exhaust system and a central fire alarm and dispatch center. Living and training spaces will be updated, including the kitchen, sleeping quarters, physical fitness and shower areas. Beyond its work on the island, the Arsenal Fire Department participates in mutual-aid calls across the Quad-Cities, especially in Rock Island, Moline and Bettendorf. The department responds to two or three mutual-aid calls per month, Fire Chief Richard Reed said. More often, the Arsenal sends its ambulances and their crews out in emergency situations.
Officials were smiling and upbeat in the sunny but chilly Thursday morning weather. "You couldn't ask for a better day for a groundbreaking," said Col. Raymond G. Midkiff, commander of the Louisville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. "Whoever is in charge of the weather needs a raise."
Wilson presided over the shovel ceremony and joked at its conclusion, "You've got to keep digging. This is the foundation."
RAY WAS HERE 08/28/05
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