Westmont leaders weigh $10M–$28M options to replace aging Station 183

Deputy Chief Tom Frank of the Westmont Fire Department led a public walkthrough and presentation of Station 183 and said the village must decide whether to repair, expand or replace the Frank J Johanek Fire Department Headquarters.

"We have office space, but we have no meeting space," Deputy Chief Tom Frank said, describing cramped administration offices, leaking ceilings and bay doors built to accommodate smaller vehicles from the station's 1991 construction.

Why it matters: Westmont officials and the fire department argued the station's physical condition and the village's rising emergency call volume have created safety, operational and accessibility problems for firefighters and the public. The fire department reported 5,516 calls last year (compared with roughly 1,253 calls in 1991), said the village's two stations combine for about 24,000 square feet and that the department now staffs 83 sworn members, including 16 women.

Most important facts: Consultants presented three options: - Temporary rehabilitation of the existing building, estimated $10–11 million. That option would add limited improvements (decontamination zones, some living-quarters changes) but would not widen apparatus bays or fully solve ADA and leak problems; presenters characterized it as likely a short-term fix. - Rehabilitation plus an addition, estimated $23–25 million. That plan would add larger bays, lengthen the apron and improve living and administrative space; it would still rely on the existing structure and might not eliminate all leaks or provide a full mezzanine for storage. - A new two-story facility with a basement, estimated $25–28 million. The new-build option would meet the department's full list of needs (five larger bays, adjacent bunks, decontamination zones, separate washers/dryers and adequate training/community room) and was presented as the most efficient long-term solution.

Deputy Chief Frank said the existing bay doors and vehicle spacing force crews to “zig zag” through the bay floor when responding to calls, slowing operations and creating safety concerns. He also described recurring water intrusion in the bunker-gear and hose-drying rooms, saying tarps are sometimes required to keep gear dry.

"The building's kind of lived beyond its expectations here, and it's time to do something about it," Frank said during the tour.

Fire Chief Steve Riley, who introduced Frank, said the department is accredited and maintains an ISO Class 1 rating but that maintaining those standards is harder in the current facility. "Maintaining this high level of service is getting harder and harder when we're doing it out of the building that we're doing in," Riley said.

Costs and financing: Village officials and consultants described financing scenarios the village is exploring. The village has applied for at least one state grant and has engaged Representative Kasten to support grant applications. The village also discussed a local sales-tax measure allowed by state law for non‑home‑rule municipalities that, if enacted, could begin generating revenue July 1 and was presented as able to cover the annual debt service on the most expensive option. The presentation estimated a 20-year bond to fund the new build would produce roughly $1.8 million in debt service per year; presenters said the projected new sales-tax revenue would be about $2.0 million per year. Mayor Nero noted the restored grocery tax is separate and is not being proposed to fund this project.

Construction and schedule: Consultants estimated the construction phase for a new build at about 16–20 months, with a full approval, zoning and permitting timeline of roughly 32–46 months from project start to completion. Presenters said phased construction (finishing apparatus bays first while housing vehicles in temporary trailers or village facilities) is possible and was discussed as a way to preserve coverage during work.

Operational impacts and alternatives: Staff outlined temporary housing plans for apparatus and personnel during construction if the village pursues a full replacement: ambulance operations could be staged from the public-works facility, the ladder truck temporarily moved north, and an engine could operate from a trailer or a village storage building. Presenters said the village would aim to preserve coverage across the community and had discussed mutual-aid and auto‑aid agreements as contingency options.

Community input and next steps: Presenters repeatedly emphasized that no final decision had been made and invited public feedback. Deputy Chief Frank said residents should contact village trustees and attend the Fire Public Safety Committee meeting scheduled for May 15 to offer comment. Mayor Nero explained the sales-tax mechanism and said the board has not voted on a plan.

Quotes from officials (verbatim): "We have office space, but we have no meeting space." — Deputy Chief Tom Frank, Westmont Fire Department "There has not been a decision made yet." — Deputy Chief Tom Frank, Westmont Fire Department "Maintaining this high level of service is getting harder and harder when we're doing it out of the building that we're doing in." — Fire Chief Steve Riley "That grocery tax isn't a part of this." — Mayor Nero

Ending: Village staff and the consulting team said they would continue grant-seeking and detailed design work while taking public input; trustees and staff indicated the board expects to discuss options in committee and at future board meetings before any vote.

(Reporting note: figures and cost ranges, staffing counts, and schedule estimates were drawn from presentations during the public meeting and attributed to village staff and the consulting team.)