New Fire Station #5
When completed in 2008, Fire Station #5, 2830 Central Street, will be the City of Evanston’s first “green” building. The City employed Muller & Muller Architects, Inc. (MM) to design the new fire station, directing the company to design a building to meet basic requirements to obtain certification from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). MM plans to surpass basic certification and attain Silver LEED certification.
LEED certification is offered by United States Green Building Council (USGBC) to buildings that use environmentally-friendly design, materials and energy-efficient construction. These buildings are also known as “green buildings.”
The new design has two stories with three apparatus bays, kitchen, dining area, day room, workout room, turn out gear room and de-con room with shower to wash down contaminated turnout gear and equipment. There will also be a watch office on the first floor. The second floor will house dorm rooms, a locker room and washrooms. The building also has a basement to house mechanical equipment and storage. 
Fire Department staff requested a drive-through bay to avoid stopping traffic when backing into the station on Central Street when returning from calls.
The current Fire Station # 5 was built in 1954.
Unlike the temporary station that was set up as a trailer at Northwestern University’s Ryan Field during the construction of the new Station #3, there is no temporary facility while Station #5 is being built. Many temporary sites were considered, but none offered a practical solution.
Instead, during the construction of Station #5, personnel and equipment will share quarters for the year with those at Station #1, 1332 Emerson Street. The Evanston Fire Department has arranged for dual response with the Wilmette Fire Department to avoid any lags in response times to the residents in the far northwest corner of Evanston.
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