Politics & Government
Waukesha Fire Station Project on Schedule
Waukesha Fire Department preparing to transition into building in late December or early January.
The lot at 1714 Pearl St. has drastically changed since last spring.
Last spring, Now, there is the clear form of a fire station after crews from Waukesha-based worked all summer on the new building.
“You might have noticed that what was once an empty lot, now looks like a fire station,” said Fire Chief Allen LaConte in a memo to the Police & Fire Commission.
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The project to replace is moving forward as scheduled, according to LaConte, and transition into the new building is planned for late December or early January. A dedication ceremony is planned for next spring.
“The completion of this fire station will further mark progress of our strategic initiative to provide the most effective and efficient service delivery to the entire community,” LaConte said in the memo.
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The fire station was approved by the Common Council in the 2011 capital improvement budget last fall. It is being built just off of highways 59 and 164 in an effort to equalize response times throughout the city while addressing an aging facility at 1701 Stardust Drive.
The city's standard response time is seven minutes or less but areas of District 9 had up to 12-minute response times, according to information presented during the 2010 and 2011 budget processes.
The Common Council originally approved the fire station relocation in the 2010 capital improvement budget. That was contingent on the city receiving grant funds, and the project was delayed.
The council also approved relocating Fire Station No. 3 in the 2011 budget, but agreed to only relocate one after Mayor Jeff Scrima vetoed their decision. Enough council members voted for the relocation to overturn the mayor's veto, but they instead voted to move only Fire Station No. 2 this year.
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