Anybody who’s driven down Lakeville Rd. and passed Addison Township’s Fire Station 2 knows it’s time for a change.
Just last August, the new 12,000 square foot Fire Station 1 near Leonard was built and has become an eye-pleasing site along Forest Road. Fire Station 2, on the other hand, needs a little work.
‘It’s basically a pole barn with steel siding on it and an asphalt roof,? said Addison Fire Cheif George Spencer.
Spencer said the fire department was talking about remodeling Station 2 years before the new Station 1 was built. When the roof on Station 2 began deteriorating about three years ago, the fire department set aside money in their budget to get a new asphalt roof.
Last fall, the department went to bid on getting an asphalt roof, but Spencer said the fire board was so impressed with the new steel roof on Station 1 that they decided they wanted one for Station 2 as well. But adding the new green steel roof to an old building wasn’t the best idea, according to the board.
The bidding was delayed until this year to try and save money to get the outside of the building done as a package deal. The roof wasn’t the only problem with Station 2, though.
Spencer said the entry way doors are rusted, overhead doors need to be sealed and new gutters and downspouts are also needed. Yet, there were more problems.
‘Those bids came back at 20 to 25 percent more than what we anticipated,? said Spencer.
Now, the fire department has asked for three seperate bids; one for the roof, one to re-paint the outer building and one to get the doors replaced. Spencer said the main reasoning behind Station 2’s facelift is because he wants people to drive by and see the station is being used and to make it more similar to Station 1.
‘When you think about it, (Station 2) is the entry way to our entire township complex,? he said.
Despite what some might think, Spencer said Station 2 is still active and is equipped almost identical to Station 1. Both have a basic life support engine (a truck with hoses and attack lines), a tanker, an Advanced Life Support ambulance and a brush fire truck. The only difference between the stations is that Station 2 has a rescue boat because it’s closer to the boat launch and Station 1 has a rescue truck with the ‘Jaws of Life? tool. Also, Station 1 is staffed 24/7 while Station 2 does not have a full-time staff.
Spencer hopes they could get started on the remodel by the end of July.