Caledonia's Fire Station Getting Much Needed Facelift

Repair and remodel work will get underway this spring on Caledonia Fire Station 11 to bring it up to modern building codes and make it more efficient.

The Village Board Monday approved moving forward with the second phase of the project, which is the actual design and construction. All told, work on Station 11 is estimated to cost $410,000, and it wil bel completed sometime in spring 2014.

The money is coming out of the village's general fund and was part of the 2013 capital budget.

"It's past time that we address the issues at Station 11," Chief Dick Roeder told Patch after the board meeting. "By tackling all this now, the building will last longer and cost less to maintain in the long run."

Included in the scope of the work will be:

• The addition of a foyer with a separating door to help keep heating and cooling costs down and allow visitors to buzz for entrance;
• Upgraded restrooms to serve both male and female fire fighters;
• Improved design of office administration areas and offices to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and increase use of space;
• Replacing windows with energy efficient models; and
• Fairly extensive work in the equipment bay like reconstructing drains, rebuilding the masonry above overhead doors, and replacing rusted service doors.

Architect John Murphy from Architectural Associates in Mount Pleasant made the presentation.

"The building was originally constructed in 1964 and has some serious structural deficiencies," he said. "Investing in the work now, and planning for work in the future, will extend the life of the station by another 30 years or so."

Fire crews will not be relocated while work is being done unless it becomes absolutely necessary, Roeder added. Apparatus will be kept outside while work in the bay is underway during the summer and early fall.