A presenter reading a letter of intent told the Waukegan Public Safety Committee on Nov. 3 that US Health Vest has offered to donate approximately 5 acres of its Lakes Behavior property on Washington Street to the city for construction of a new Fire Station 3.

The presenter said the existing Station 3 on Lewis Avenue was built in 1952 and is "much of it is beyond repair," and that the donated site would allow the city to avoid closing the current station during construction, accelerate the timeline and provide space for future apparatus and a regional training tower with classroom space.

"With this donation, US Health Vest will truly be helping us rebuild Waukegan," the presenter read, describing operational advantages and the chance to host training for departments across the Chicagoland area.

Alderman Lynn Florian asked who might benefit from prior parcel purchases tied to a planned rebuild and how the city would finance an estimated build cost (a committee member referenced figures around $20,000,000). The presenter said asbestos site testing results were pending and expected in about two weeks and that the fire station would be in a separate building and would not affect operations at the nearby behavioral‑health facility.

After questions about asbestos, financing and whether the city could sell existing Station 3 parcels to recoup costs, a member moved and another seconded to advance the fire station proposal. The committee approved the motion by voice vote, advancing the item for additional study and staff follow‑up.