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Lower Township advances consolidated fire station design; board authorizes demolition bids to ready site
Summary
Designers outlined a consolidated fire/rescue station intended to merge two existing facilities, with a revised cost estimate near $28 million and a mid‑2027 construction start targeted pending PennDOT and NPDES approvals. The board authorized bidding to demolish two Huntington Pike houses to prepare the parcel.
Design consultants for a proposed consolidated fire and rescue station told the Lower Township Board of Commissioners on June 9 that schematic design is finished and the project has moved into detailed systems design while permitting with PennDOT and the conservation district proceeds.
Kevin (CHA design lead) said the project aims "to create a healthy and safe environment for all emergency responders" and to combine two current stations into a single, more efficient facility. The plan shows an apparatus bay with six vehicle stalls, a separate "hot zone" for contaminated gear and a cold zone for living and office spaces, a training room for about 50 people and a multi‑story training tower.
The design team emphasized site constraints at the corner of Huntington Pike and Buck Road, noting the intersection work is integral to the station layout. "It will involve a preemption signal and Huntington Pike is of course a PennDOT road so we'll require PennDOT approvals," said the presenter. Consultants said approvals and an NPDES permit review are likely to extend the schedule; the team is currently targeting mid‑2027 for the start of on‑site work once permits are in hand.
On cost, the team presented a snapshot that moved the planning estimate from about $26 million to roughly $28 million based on recent pricing and additional site/utility work. "I'm tracking at about $28 million," one consultant told the board, and said the team will pursue a mix of grant funding (MTF, RACP and smaller equipment grants) and bid alternates to limit municipal exposure.
Board members and residents pressed designers for detail on contamination control, circulation and materials. The proposal separates vehicle/apparatus areas from personnel spaces and provides a transitional cleaning zone; consultants explained gross decontamination is expected to occur outside the apparatus apron with additional cleaning inside before personnel re‑enter the living spaces. Commissioners and neighbors also debated exterior finishes; designers proposed stone accents on the street facade with brick and stucco above to control cost, while some commissioners urged more stone at lower elevations for durability and compatibility with the neighborhood.
To prepare the site for the new station, staff recommended the township authorize bidding for demolition of two residential structures at 2671 and 2683 Huntington Pike. A motion to authorize demolition bidding was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; the chair called for those in favor to signify "I" and the board passed the authorization.
What's next: the design team will continue detailed mechanical/electrical/plumbing work, pursue PennDOT and NPDES permit reviews and refine budget assumptions while the township explores grant funding and bid alternates. The demolition bidding authorization allows site preparation to proceed once a contract is selected.
