Godfrey Fire Protection District’s broke ground on a $7.5 million fire station and administrative building in Godfrey, Illinois, in the St. Louis market on Feb. 16.
Members of the fire department and residents from the local community came out to celebrate the ground-breaking ceremony that marks the beginning of construction. Construction is anticipated to be completed by the spring of 2024.
S. M. Wilson is serving as the construction manager. The owner’s representative is Northstar Management and the architect is FGM Architects.
The 15,000-square-foot facility will serve as the replacement of the district’s two existing fire stations. The location at 3023 Godfrey Road in Godfrey is more centrally located and has room for growth to accommodate the ever-increasing demand for emergency services. Relocating Godfrey’s fire services to a single building with all equipment housed in one central location will allow for better and more efficient manpower allocation during emergency response.
The modern, state-of-the-art facility will include three drive-thru apparatus bays, space for medical and other supplies as well as training and administrative areas, meeting spaces, offices and living quarters. The new firehouse is designed as a one-story building with a partial mezzanine on the second level to accommodate the apparatus bays.
The construction project is funded by a bond that was overwhelmingly approved in April 2021 by local voters. The bond also funds the purchase of updated, essential emergency equipment, including cardiac monitors and firefighter turnout gear, as well as the replacement of antiquated vehicles that are increasingly expensive to maintain.
S. M. Wilson has completed several other civic projects in the Metro East Illinois area of the St. Louis region, including the City of Highland’s Public Safety Building and the City of Edwardsville’s R.P. Lumber Center recreational complex.
