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Date: 5/4/2023
HAMPDEN — On April 24, Jeff McElravy of Tecton Architects presented the Hampden Board of Selectman with three options for a new a fire station.
Using a 2020 study by Mitchell Associates Architects, Tecton Architects gathered data at a January community forum. McElravy then presented three options to residents at a second forum in March and used their feedback to further refine a vision for the new fire station.
McElravy summarized the data that had been collected so far regarding the expansion of the fire station. He said 100% of survey respondents saw a need for improvements at the fire station and said those in the community and Fire Department who had responded agreed that firefighter health, operational safety and equipment bay capacity were the top priorities. There was also a focus identified on “mission critical spaces,” he said.
McElravy showed the board three options, all of which expand the existing fire station on North Street. The first option is 6,945 square feet with a price tag of $5.85 million. This option adds a second set of two bays to the building, wider and taller than the existing ones. At the rear of the bays are a room for storing and filling self-contained breathing apparatus, a work room, an electrical room and a mechanical room. An existing space at the back of the building would be repurposed for storage of turnout gear, a decontamination and laundry room and a room for EMS storage. The remainder of the building would stay as is, with the exception that one restroom would be made accessible. McElravy said the roof line would be “fussy” with this option.
Option 2 would come in at 8,340 square feet and $7.4 million. The footprint would be similar to the first option, with the addition of a bump out at the rear of the building. This option would include all the features of option one as well as a compressor room, a cold-water rescue storage room, hazardous material storage, a utility recess, hose storage, a hydration station, and a larger decontamination room. There is room on site for a future outbuilding for additional equipment storage.
McElravy noted that he was given a ceiling of $10 million by residents, who did not want to see their taxes increase substantially. With that in mind, the final option is 8,953 square feet at a cost of $9.81 million. This building contains all the amenities of option 2, but McElravy said, “I did add a little bit of space on the people side of the building.” There is an enlarged combination day room-kitchen-dining room that can serve as a 16-person training room, with a small audio-video equipment closet. There are also two accessible restrooms for male and female personnel, more storage space and a three-person shared office.
McElravy said he planned to next present the options to the Fire Department for fire personnel feedback.
The Board of Selectmen said they would review the presentation and discuss the options.