St. Charles Fire Department facility needs new air conditioning unit

As St. Charles aldermen passed numerous funding proposals at Monday's Government Services Committee meeting, an interesting request waited at the bottom of the agenda.

Due to what city officials described as a "catastrophic failure" at the St. Charles Fire Department's Century Station facility, the aldermen had to approve funding to replace the building's air conditioning system. Based on an initial quote received from Progressive Mechanical, Public Works Manager A.J. Reineking set the request at an amount not to exceed $85,150.

Reineking said the fan broke off the housing bracket and crashed down on one of the unit's two circuits, reducing its capacity by half. Because the unit is 21 years old, Progressive Mechanical and Carrier, the manufacturer, recommended the unit be replaced and not repaired.

"If you can picture your residential air conditioner - the fan - picture that times about eight," Reineking said.

The Century Station facility houses the fire department's administration staff, Information Services Department, Emergency Management Agency and Fire Station 1.

Adding to the difficulty of installing the new unit is the building's location. Reineking said high-voltage electric lines along North Riverside and State avenues may prevent a crane from accessing the roof, meaning a helicopter could be necessary for delivery.

Ward 2 Alderman Art Lemke asked how the original unit was installed, and Reineking said they were still researching the history and the potential options for installing the new unit.

"That might be a means and method we leave up to the successful bidder," Reineking said.

Reineking said they're trying to expedite the process while gathering multiple bids, but it still could take 14 to 16 weeks to replace the unit. The cost would be added to the 2021-2022 budget.

"We're trying to jump on this very quickly while still being responsive and responsible in terms of our procurement practices," he said.