Buffalo Grove officials break ground on new Dundee Road fire station

Buffalo Grove officially broke ground Wednesday on the new Fire Station 25, a $10.1 million project going up on the former site of a five-decade-old facility that no longer served the evolving needs of the fire department.

The new station at 505 W. Dundee Road is expected to open in the fall of 2026. The old station was 8,402 square feet, while the new station will be more than double that at 17,802 square feet.

Fire Station 25 operations are currently conducted at the former public works headquarters on Raupp Boulevard during construction.

“Service to the community is not being negatively impacted by the construction thanks to our temporary facility use,” Fire Chief Larry Kane said.

Village President Eric Smith called the project, “another milestone in our village's ongoing transformation.”

Smith said the new station was among a litany of major developments and improvements the village is undertaking.

“Here in Buffalo Grove, we don't just make decisions, we make decisions that are smart with heart,” he added. “Our residents are at the center of everything we do, and every step we take is to ensure your safety, security and well-being.”

Kane noted the old station was never designed for 24-hour occupancy and had undergone multiple remodels.

“The new fire station will replace a building that was 50 years old,” Kane said. “The new station will be built with the current fire service and the future in mind.”

Among the improvements will be wider overhead doors to accommodate larger modern fire vehicles; a more efficient layout that reduces response times from the training and living area to response vehicles; an advanced station alert system; an energy-efficient design; and enhanced health and wellness facilities.

In addition, Kane said, there is expanded bunk space for potential future staffing increases or the need to provide temporary accommodations.

The project is being funded through a combination of village reserves and bond proceeds backed by ambulance service revenues, with no effect on property tax collections, Deputy Village Manager Chris Stilling said.

Following completion of Station 25, the village will begin a comprehensive remodel of Fire Station 26, at 1051 Highland Grove Drive. Once Fire Station 25 is open, Station 26 will relocate to the former public works facility.