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Ravinia Fire Station Redevelopment

At the September 23, 2019 Committee of the Whole meeting, the City Council reviewed the proposed plan for redevelopment of the Ravinia Fire Station including recommended locations for the station. Ravinia Fire Station #32 at 692 Burton Avenue is slated to undergo redevelopment and construction in 2021. Following discussion, the Council was in consensus to construct the new fire station on the same site as the current fire station. The City will issue a Request for Qualifications to seek architectural, engineering and construction management services that would be undertaken in year 2020.   While mutual aid is always available, the City will work to identify a temporary location in close proximity to the current station to operate the Ravinia Fire Station services to avoid any disruption of fire and emergency medical services while the new facility is under construction in year 2021.

In 2016, the City explored several locations to build a new station. It was determined that the Ravinia Business District area maximized the Department’s ability to provide consistent response times of less than 7 minutes. Fire response times that exceed 7 minutes are more likely to result in flashover fires and a greater risk for injuries and fatalities. The City contracted with Williams Architects to conduct a needs assessment and develop conceptual drawings for a new fire station using three parcels of land at or near the current location. In 2017, the City held seven community meetings seeking input from the public. Residents and businesses were in support of redevelopment of the existing fire station.   

The Ravinia Fire Station was built in 1929. The station was originally designed for a single engine response with two personnel. In 1966, the station responded to 127 calls for service. This past year, the station responded to over 1,900 calls for service. Ravinia Fire Station currently operates with four personnel staffing an engine and ambulance. The limited footprint of the current Ravinia Fire Station has proven challenging to call response, training, and maintenance of equipment. The Highland Park Fire Department is internationally accredited by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) and holds itself to the highest standards in public safety services. The redeveloped fire station will allow the Fire Department to continue offering industry best fire fighting and emergency services while meeting the highest criteria set forth by CFAI.

Further information about the project, including a detailed Frequently Asked Questions and Answers is available here. To learn more about other development projects in Highland Park, please visit www.cityhpil.com/development or call the City Manager’s Office at 847.926.1000.