Fire Station Renovations Revealed

WHITEFISH BAY, WI—The Fire Stations in both Whitefish Bay and Shorewood that started last year are now complete.

The Shorewood Station remodel started in December 2019, according to North Shore Fire/RescueChief Robert Whitaker. The Whitefish Bay Station remodel started in June 2019.

Whitefish Bay station was built in 1953 and had limited updates, other than the kitchen, since then. The project included a full remodel of the station including updating the bathroom, locker and shower facilities to accommodate all sexes of employees. The fitness space was updated along with the kitchen, and living areas. A new emergency generator and new exterior garage doors were installed. The project cost $941,110.

The Shorewood station remodel was more extensive. The Station was built in 1927 and had several additions throughout its existence.

Up until 2017, the building was shared by Shorewood Police Department and the Fire Department.

"When the PD left, half the building was unoccupied and the space separation between tenants was simply not workable moving forward. The building was in need of major repair, including the HVAC Systems, the electrical infrastructure, and repair of water leaks throughout the building," the Chief explained.

In Shorewood, the full remodel of the station included updating the bathroom, locker and shower facilities to accommodate all sexes of employees. The fitness space, kitchen, and living areas were also updated. Similar to Whitefish Bay, a new emergency generator and new exterior garage doors were installed. Final invoices are still being paid, but the construction contract was for $1.9 million, Chief Whitaker told Patch.

"Both projects provided updated infrastructure of the facilities that support current-day fire/rescue operations," the Chief told Patch.

That includes living/work facilities for all genders, decontamination space separate from living space, and IT infrastructure for another 50 years.

"These facilities improve the work environment for all of our firefighters and paramedics assigned, thus making their work environment more friendly and comfortable," Chief Whitaker said.

Both projects were funded by general obligation bonds supported by the seven communities that make up the North Shore Fire Department.