Mount Prospect Fire Department completes move to new headquarters

The Mount Prospect Fire Department this week completed the move into its new headquarters at 111 E. Rand Road.

The project was completed on schedule and within its budget of $10.4 million for purchase of the land and existing building, design fees, construction costs, project contingencies, and furniture and fixture purchases, officials said in a news release.

The decision to relocate both police and fire headquarters ties back to a space needs study conducted in 2018 that determined the police side of the joint headquarters, which was built in 1993, was functionally inadequate due to space constraints, operational changes, accessibility and the impact of technology, officials said.

Construction began in 2019, with Williams Architects and Nicholas & Associates as the design and construction teams.

"We are very excited to see this project come to fruition and are also looking forward to the new police headquarters opening later this spring," Mayor Arlene Juracek said in the news release. "This move allows both departments to be more efficient and improves their functionality and service to our community."

The new location will improve the department's performance measures by 14%, Fire Chief Brian Lambel said. "It will also enhance emergency response to Prospect High School and the community north of Euclid Avenue."

Meanwhile, the village has announced a proposal from Greystar Real Estate Advisors to redevelop a portion of "Block 56." The proposed development would include the site of the former police and fire headquarters at 112 E. Northwest Hwy. and the Chase Bank property at 111 E. Busse Ave.

For more information about the projects, go to www.mountprospect.org/transparency.