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Public Works reports Medic 4, Fire Station 8 and parks milestones; new chiller improves Shenley Park ice quality
Summary
The Department of Public Works highlighted major capital milestones including Medic 4 and Fire Station 8 construction starts, substantial completion of 412 Boulevard of the Allies office relocation, playground and park upgrades, and a new ammonia chiller at Shenley Park ice rink.
Chip Gahl, assistant director of Public Works overseeing the Bureau of Facilities, told the Capital Program Facilitation Committee that the architecture division and project managers advanced and completed multiple capital projects in 2024 across public safety buildings and parks.
Gahl said the department kicked off construction for a new Medic 4 station on the North Side/North Shore and a full interior rebuild of Fire Station 8 in East Liberty; he said the Medic 4 build is expected to be completed in summer of this year. The department also reported substantial masonry and structural repairs across several fire stations and work at the EMS headquarters.
Parks and recreation milestones included completion of phase 1 construction at Bridal Park Playground (Lawrenceville), Anderson Playground completion, ballfield‑lighting upgrades, and the Highland Park tennis resurfacing and lighting project. Gahl described collaborations with the Blind Tennis Association and said staff retrofitted one newly resurfaced Highland Park court with visual aids and striping to accommodate vision‑impaired tennis players.
The department also reported that the large office relocation to 412 Boulevard of the Allies reached substantial completion last year and restored an in‑person one‑stop counter and hearing rooms. Project managers Felipe Palomo, Jacob Sibleon and Monica Bender were singled out for their roles in executing the move, Gahl said.
At Shenley Park, Public Works completed installation of a new ammonia‑based chiller system and upgraded controls, plumbing and electrical systems; staff reported improved ice quality and extended operating conditions after the upgrade.
Gahl noted staff growth in the architecture division — several project manager hires — and that work on major public safety and facilities projects will continue into 2025.
