ALLENTOWN, Pa. — City officials are turning their attention to a new fire station less than a month after approving plans for a significant expansion of the city’s police headquarters.
A consultant Wednesday presented plans for a new Life Safety & Wellness Center that could cost the city up to $65.5 million.
That includes a 300-space parking garage with a price tag of about $10 million.
City Fire Chief Efrain Agosto has long called for much-needed upgrades at Central Fire Station — or a replacement.
The building is “way out of its useful life” and is “starting to deteriorate.”Allentown City Fire Chief Efrain Agosto
The building is “way out of its useful life” and is “starting to deteriorate,” Agosto told an Allentown City Council committee Wednesday.
Central Fire Station’s roof leaks and most rooms feature “mold stains,” according to the chief.
And it wasn’t designed to be a fire station.
The property at 723 Chew St. was a car dealership about 100 years ago before its conversion to Central Fire Station in 1945.
'Nagging issues'
The building’s age is evident through some “nagging issues,” such as smaller garage doors that limit which vehicles the department can use there and a lack of adequate parking and storage space, Agosto said.
It’s also not accessible to all residents, he said.
“It’s time for the city to invest in a new facility."Allentown Fire Chief Efrain Agosto
Bethlehem architectural firm Alloy5 last year conducted a seven-month feasibility study that showed the station is in “poor” condition.
That means it likely has one to three years left before its issues become critical, company executives said Wednesday.
A project to build a new headquarters for the fire department is expected to bring the city’s Health Bureau and EMS department under the same roof.
Agosto urged council members to commit to a “long-term solution” that provides the “right facility” for firefighters, paramedics and health professionals.
“It’s time for the city to invest in a new facility,” Agosto said.
Projected project price
Bekah Rusnock and Michelle Mozingo of Alloy5 presented plans for the center that showed the cost the city of up to $65.5 million.
The total price could balloon to more than $72 million if the city waits until 2028 to start the project, they said.
Alloy5 explored nine potential locations for the new fire station and homed in on a parking lot at Fourth and Turner streets owned by Lehigh County.
“We have been talking about this for ages. It's now time for us to deliver.”Mayor Matt Tuerk
Earning all approvals and permits for the project likely will take about 18 months, with construction to last two to three years, Alloy5 executives said Wednesday.
The new complex would be built in phases, with the parking garage to go up first.
Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk lauded Alloy5’s feasibility study and rough sketch for the Life Safety & Wellness Center as “incredibly impressive.”
Replacing Central Fire Station is long overdue and “critically important” because “our firefighters and paramedics working [there] are not in the best position to succeed,” Tuerk said.
