Redo of Palm Beach's North Fire-Rescue Station on track for fall 2024 completion

Construction is moving along on the top-to-bottom renovation of the North Fire-Rescue Station at 300 N. County Road. The project is expected to be complete in the fall of 2024.
Construction is moving along on the top-to-bottom renovation of the North Fire-Rescue Station at 300 N. County Road. The project is expected to be complete in the fall of 2024.

Construction on the top-to-bottom renovation of the North Fire-Rescue Station is on track, with work expected to be complete by fall 2024, town administrators told the Daily News.

Crews have demolished the interior of the three-story building at 300 N. County Road, and are working on structural restoration, the town said.

Work on the $8 million project began last summer and will include a complete renovation of the landmarked structure, which was built in 1927.

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Its condition deteriorated over the years, and roof leaks had been a longtime issue.

Water intrusion caused by hurricanes in 2004 and 2005 led to mold, forcing the relocation of staff until the building was remediated.

Work on the $8 million restoration of the North Fire-Rescue Station began last summer and will include a complete renovation of the landmarked structure, which was built in 1927.
Work on the $8 million restoration of the North Fire-Rescue Station began last summer and will include a complete renovation of the landmarked structure, which was built in 1927.

An inspection in July 2021 uncovered additional water damage and mold intrusion.

"We discovered roof leaks in the process of inspecting the roof," Public Works Director Paul Brazil told the council during a budget workshop that month. "We also had a company come in and check for any water damage. They did find evidence of some mold."

Tests revealed that the air quality inside the building remained good, but council members agreed to move up a previously scheduled renovation by two years after deeming it a "top priority."

The council allocated $1.5 million of a $2.7 million budget surplus for the work.

“The fire station is No. 1 for me," Council Member Julie Araskog said during the budget workshop. "This is urgent. It needs to be done ASAP."

A renovation project is underway at the North Fire-Rescue Station on South County Road after an inspection in July 2021 uncovered water damage and mold intrusion.
A renovation project is underway at the North Fire-Rescue Station on South County Road after an inspection in July 2021 uncovered water damage and mold intrusion.

A total of $8 million has been allocated for the project, but the town expects costs could exceed that figure.

There are no current estimates for additional costs, but Hedrick Brothers, the project’s construction manager, is expected to present the final “guaranteed maximum price” for presentation to Town Council in May, Town Engineer Patricia Strayer said.

The North Fire Station is among the oldest operating fire stations in Florida. The building, which houses 11 fire-rescue and civilian personnel, was landmarked in 1988.

While the building is being renovated, North Fire-Rescue Station personnel have been operating out of a temporary station beside the old one, near the intersection of North County Road and Wells Road.

The temporary station was built by American Modular Systems, of Manteca, California. It includes a dormitory trailer that can house up to six firefighters, and a bunker trailer that houses fire gear.

Five Fire-Rescue personnel currently occupy the dormitory trailer, the town said, while the department’s administration team, chief and assistant chief are operating out of other town facilities.

The temporary station serves the same response zone as the old one — from North of Royal Poinciana Way to the Palm Beach Inlet, Assistant Fire Chief Sean Baker said.

Emergency response times have stayed the same, Baker added.

The traffic pattern at the intersection of Wells Road and North County Road has been modified to go around the temporary station.

The new traffic pattern will be in place while North Fire-Rescue Station improvements are ongoing. Drivers are asked to drive with caution and follow the signage.

Two other Fire-Rescue stations serve Palm Beach residents and business owners.

The Central Fire-Rescue Station at 355 S. County Road covers the area north of Southern Boulevard to south of Royal Poinciana Way. It also serves as the town’s Emergency Operations Center.

The South Fire-Rescue Station at 2185 S. Ocean Blvd. covers Southern Boulevard to south town limits.

Jodie Wagner is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at jwagner@pbdailynews.comHelp support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Redo of Palm Beach's North Fire Station on track for fall 2024 completion