In
January 2003 RFL Architects were commissioned to
start design work on a $2.6 million 8100 square
foot renovation of the Ridge Culver Fire Department
station house. The addition will include two new
apparatus bays, support spaces, a training room,
an exercise room and new ADA compliant bathrooms,
as well as renovation of the radio room, bunkroom
and locker rooms.
In April 2004 the design was approved and the project
was funded after a district wide vote. Christa Construction
was approved as the construction manager and D’Agostino
General Contractors won the bid to lead the construction.
The official groundbreaking ceremony was held on
June 30th 2004. The RCFD members turned out in force
along with town dignitaries, representatives of
the architectural firm and the construction companies.
One of the highlights was the picture with the group
of Association members who were active when the
existing firehouse was built in 1962. A chicken
barbecue followed the event for all the attendees.
The official start of construction began shortly
after, with the removal of the historic fieldstone
“smoking house” on the south side of
the existing firehouse. The smoking house was donated
to the town on Irondequoit and will be used as a
town information center at the new Town Pocket Park
across Culver Road from Sea Breeze Park.
The foundation and steelwork went up quickly and
the entire structure was weatherproofed before the
snow started to fly in November. The interior work
progressed steadily with crews working on all ends
of the firehouse simultaneously, leaving the existing
lounge as the only refuge. The lounge served as
the bunkroom, radio room, chief’s office,
and an informal meeting room. During this time the
cornerstone of the existing firehouse was removed
and the time capsule was removed. The items in the
time capsule were removed and examined at the Ridge
Culver Fire Associations Monthly meeting. The items
included several local newspapers, photos of the
Fire Department officers and other memorabilia from
1963.
 
By the end of January we were finally able to move
into the offices on the north side of the building.
The District Secretary/Treasurer, Linda Brockmann
and the Career Lieutenant Joe Mandel were the first
to move into the new offices. They were followed
by the Chief, Line Officers, Career Staff and the
Association officers. On February 21st, 2005 the
first District Commission meeting was held in the
new Commission meeting room.
 
In the following weeks the training room, exercise
room and support rooms were opened and the revamping
of the existing lounge and meeting rooms were well
underway. The entire job was completed by the Ridge
Culver Fire Association dinner meeting, which was
held on March 30th. Invited guests at the dinner
were representatives from all the construction agencies
as well as town officials.
 
A
dedication ceremony, open house and laying of the
cornerstone will be held in early June, with the
public invited to tour the station..
|
