Maximum $15.5 million price approved for new Hoffman Estates fire station near St. Alexius

Hoffman Estates village board members have approved a guaranteed maximum price of just over $15.5 million for construction of the new Fire Station 22 next to Hoffman Estates Community Bank on Higgins Road.

That price also includes the recent demolition of the single-story office complex that previously occupied the 2.8 acres at 2170, 2180 and 2190 W. Higgins Road, other site preparations and a contingency fund. It excludes the architectural design, furniture and equipment for the new building.

The approval should allow construction to get started in mid-July, said Deputy Village Manager Dan O’Malley, who retires Friday.

“We’re hoping to be done by the end of 2027,” he added.

The guaranteed maximum price is based on construction manager Camosy Inc.’s recommendation of the qualified low bidders on 16 trade contracts, from earthwork and utilities to landscaping.

The new Fire Station 21 on Flagstaff Lane that completed earlier this year had a guaranteed maximum price of $9.1 million in 2024 before construction began.

As the department’s headquarters, Station 22 will be larger than Station 21 with the inclusion of administrative and training facilities, O’Malley said. Both projects had an early estimated combined cost of roughly $25 million.

Three years ago the village board approved a pair of funding sources for replacement of the two outdated and cramped fire stations.

One was an increase in the village's electricity tax rate affecting only businesses that use as much power as data centers. The other source is an increase in the portion of ambulance fees covered by insurance. Residents would see fees not covered by their insurance waived by the village.

The current, half-century-old Station 22 is at 1700 Moon Lake Blvd., on the west side of the Ascension St. Alexius Medical Center campus. Despite the aging facility’s limitations, consultants found its location nearly ideal. This led officials to look for a new site as nearby as possible.

Hoffman Estates initiated condemnation proceedings on the future site in early September 2023, but a month later negotiated a purchase price with the owner. The village ultimately paid $53,000 more than the property's $2 million appraised value.

Demolition of the office buildings was completed earlier this a year, though the final tenants moved out last summer.

The village remains hopeful the original Station 22 site will attract a medical provider as a buyer due to its proximity to the hospital, O’Malley said.