Nanuet Firehouse Plan Detailed

Nanuet needs a new firehouse. That is what Fire Commissioner Harold Straut explained to 40 residents at Thursday’s public meeting as he detailed flooding, sinking and wall separation problems with the 70-year-old building.

“We flood still even though the town has done remediation work,” he said.  

Architect Bernard Lanza of Battoglia Lanza Architectural Group of Fishkill said they looked into the possibility of rebuilding on the current property on Prospect Street but that is not feasible because of the five to seven feet of uncontrolled soil and fill under the building. There are other issues as well – no sprinklers, one wooden staircase to the second level, no elevator, inadequate storage space for firefighters’ equipment, and truck bays that are provide little maneuvering area for the new, larger vehicles.

“From a real practical sense this building has real safety issues,” said Lanza.

Those conditions led the Nanuet Fire District to propose a new building on a 2.1-acre site on Old Middletown Road at a cost of $16.1 million. The district acquired the property last August for $650,000 using money accumulated in its capital reserves account. The cost would be funded by a 25-year tax-exempt municipal bond which Nanuet Fire District residents will probably be asked to vote on in September.

The proposed building would be 23,296 square feet compared to the current facility’s 13,403 square feet. Half of the six bays would be 60 feet long and the others 41 feet, eight inches long and all would measure at least 15 feet, four inches wide. Solar panels on the roof would connect to a net metering system and reduce electrical costs. 

Resident Jim Flynn asked about emergency generator power and the possibility of building more bays. Lanza said the proposed firehouse would be fully powered by a generator and it was designed to meet current and future needs. He said it is situated on the property so that one more bay could be added.

The first level would house the truck bays with high ceilings, radio, telecommunications and fitness rooms, a kitchen, storage and officers areas. The second floor would have elevator and stair access and include a community meeting room able to fit 161 people, fire commissioners meeting room and storage space. 

Straut broke down the $16.1 million price tag. The building cost would be $10.5 million, site work would run $3 million, soft costs would be $1.1 million and $1.5 million would be set aside for contingency fees. Owners of Nanuet homes assessed at $135,000 would pay $170.74 annually through the life of the bond. Straut said since borrowing costs currently have low interest rates, the commissioners hope to get public approval so they can move quickly. 

The district is applying for state and federal grants to help offset the cost. Simon Properties, owner of The Shops at Nanuet, is paying $50,000 to $60,000 to have traffic lights modified so firefighters can control them when they are responding to a call.

Lanza noted with taxpayer approval in September, construction could begin in September 2014 and would take about two years with occupancy in September 2016.

A resident questioned how fire trucks would maneuver on narrow and winding Old Middletown Road. Lanza said the design maximizes the line of sight and a driveway would be constructed on the Convent Road end of the property for firefighters and the public to use.

Straut announced there would be another public meeting after the Board of Fire Commissioners meeting in July or August.  The presentation can be viewed here.