The Peru Gazette

AEDA Peru Fire Station drawing

AEDA engineer Michael Coon explains interior work to contractors at March 3, pre-bid meeting.

AEDA engineer Michael Coon explains exterior work to contractors at March 3, pre-bid meeting.

By John T Ryan 

Peru – On September 3, 2024, voters gave the green light to a major investment: up to $5 million for expanding and renovating Peru’s fire station. Fast-forward 18 months, and the Department is now seeking bids for general construction, electrical work, HVAC, and plumbing. Bid proposal must be submitted by March 24 at 2 p.m, when they’ll be opened and read aloud. 

Chad Frechette, Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners, remarked, “The original plan hasn’t changed much, though we eliminated the glass doors to keep the cost down.” Frechette eagerly awaits the March 24 bid opening, hoping to see construction begin soon after. For the firefighters, new challenges lie ahead as they plan how to keep the department running smoothly during renovations. The target completion date is February 2027, although that date is flexible.

On March 3, local engineers Michael Coon and Jamie Hammaker from Architectural Engineering and Design Associates (AEDA) met with several interested contractors at a pre-bid meeting at the station. The department has saved some funds for the project, with the remainder to be financed through a 25-year bond. At the time of the September 2004 vote, the estimated fire tax increase was $ 0.6683 per thousand dollars of real property value. 

The renovation replaces the wood structural members with steel, extends the truck bays by 40 feet toward Bear Swamp Road, and replaces the bay flooring, roofing, engine bay doors, and most sprinkler, electrical, and HVAC systems. New facilities include an equipment storage area, a fitness room, a locker room, a decontamination room, an updated social room, space for the historic Brockway truck, an expanded EMS area, and larger eastside parking.

Link to Peru Gazette story prior to the vote  

In September, 2024 Greg Timmons explained why the changes are needed 

September 2024 vote results story