‘Perfect location’: Lake Zurich authorizes $2.1 million land buy for potential fire station site

Lake Zurich plans to buy a site to replace its 45-year-old Fire Station 1 with a larger, modern facility in a different location.

Village officials this week authorized the purchase of four acres at South Old Rand Road and Route 22 for a negotiated price of $2.1 million.

Comprised of three parcels known as the Breslow property, the vacant site was identified in a November 2024 analysis as a desirable location for a new fire station.

According to information provided by the village, a recent appraisal determined the market value at $3.75 million. However, the property, which has been for sale intermittently since 2017, had a history of diverse uses that required environmental remediation by the current owners.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency issued a letter saying no further remediation is required and the village conducted its own assessment before the sale, expected to close by the year end.

Lake Zurich has a single fire station and staffs and equips three others that comprise the Lake Zurich Rural Fire Protection District, a separate taxing body.

Lake Zurich has grown from 8,200 to about 20,000 residents since Station 1 was built at 321 S. Buesching Road as have communities served by the rural district, according to Michael Duebner, assistant village manager.

Geography, population density and business makeup has changed significantly since 1980, he said, and what was ideal then isn’t now. The village commissioned a study to find a site that would optimize response times.

“Given the age of the existing station (and) the lack of interior space for personnel and equipment, constructing a new Station 1 in a more advantageous location would be a strategic step forward in meeting the desirable 4-minute response coverage model,” according to information reviewed by trustees.

“Honestly, this is a perfect spot in a perfect location that’s going to cover what it needs to cover,” said Trustee Roger Sugrue.

The site is within a designated special financing district and as such the purchase cost can be reimbursed from future revenues generated within the district.

Duebner said there is $500,000 earmarked in the 2026 budget for design and engineering for a new fire station. Financing options will be considered by the village board once project costs are determined.