Fire station project delayed

Construction of a new fire station on Peterson Road near Route 60 has been delayed, although officials say it may open late this year.

The site of the Grayslake Fire Protection District’s proposed Station 3 has been idle since a ceremonial groundbreaking March 1.

At the time, Fire Chief John Christian said he would be “thrilled” if the station, which will serve the expansive district’s southwest area, could be open in October.

But bids on the project came in a “considerable amount” over budget, Christian said, causing the district to reconsider construction options.

“We didn’t get to a point where the district felt comfortable moving forward,” he said of the bids. “We need to get people out there, but we don’t want to burden taxpayers.”

About $2.2 million has been budgeted for the station to be built on 1.7 acres on the south side of Peterson near Saddlebrook Farms, a private, 55 and over community in Round Lake Park that would benefit from much faster response times from a new station.

“They’re thrilled that it’s going to be there,” Mayor Jean McCue said of Saddlebrook residents. Residents near Cedar Lake Road and Route 60, and those to the south in Ivanhoe Estates, also would benefit.

Christian said there was a “considerable” amount of interest from contractors, but the cost of materials continues to climb and labor costs have not dropped.

Gurnee architect Daniel Robison, who designed the fire station, could not be reached for comment regarding the bids or possible changes.

“There was no fluff in that building — it’s not like it’s an elaborate building,” Christian said. “We have our feelers out — what are our options?”

The site is in unincorporated Lake County. The fire district has applied for building and site development permits but they have not been approved, and the county is awaiting a response to what are said to be minor questions.

Christian said there are “some drainage issues we need to address” but expected site preparation could begin soon.

“We are moving forward,” Christian said. “We’re still anticipating it will be up and running by the end of the year.”

Voters approved a tax hike for a new station in 2008.