$600,000 to help build firehouse

By JUDD WEIL

Staff writer

Hillsboro will receive $600,000 from the federal government to help build a new fire station.

The money was included in a, federal appropriations bill approved by Congress and is awaiting signage by the president.

Construction of the new station will be at the corner of 3rd St. and Ash Sts., just north of Casey’s and adjacent to the county station.

City administrator Matt Stiles said the project would improve emergency response times and replace facilities that no longer meet the city’s needs.

The new station will replace the city’s current downtown fire station, which is attached to City Hall and was built decades ago for smaller equipment and different response demands.

“It’s how you used to build fire stations in the ’70s,” Stiles said. “But nowadays it just doesn’t really work for what we have.”

The current station has limited access for modern vehicles and a narrow turning radius.

Additional fire and rescue equipment, including brush trucks and water-rescue vehicles, are stored at the former AMPI building, which is deteriorating and partially condemned, according to Stiles.

“We have two locations right now, and that increases our response time,” he said.

The new station will consolidate equipment and operations in one location with improved access to highways and main thoroughfares.

Hillsboro’s fire department has 30 volunteers and one paid employee, Chief Ben Steketee, who also is the city’s building inspector and code enforcement officer. The department provides fire service to surrounding townships covering roughly 100 square miles.

The new station will have flexibility for future needs, including space that could accommodate expanded staffing, Stiles said.

The federal contribution will reduce the city’s cost. Stiles said the city plans to use revenue from its local sales tax, previously used to pay for its swimming pool, with a goal of avoiding any tax increase.

“The idea is that it’s basically a net-zero impact on property taxpayers,” he said.

Stiles said construction should take about 18 months once approvals are secured. The new station could open in 2027.