What's The Update On Summit's New Fire Department Headquarters?

SUMMIT, NJ — Construction for Summit's new firehouse on Broad Street began in Oct. of 2021, and eight months later, it appears the project still has a long ways to go.

According to the city, construction is proceeding on its anticipated schedule with only some minor delays due to supply chain issues. The new headquarters is expected to be completed in early fall of 2023.

Research for the project first began in 2012, and a final concept for a new fire headquarters was approved by Summit Common Council in 2019. It was designed by architects LeMay, Erickson, and Wilcox. Construction will be completed by Brahma Construction.

Read more: Summit Breaks Ground On New Fire Department Headquarters

An outline of the Broad Street West redevelopment plan explains that the current Summit Fire Department at 396 Broad Street is "outdated and does not meet the capacity needs of today."

The City wrote that the current layout and use of the headquarter's existing area is not in-line with current standards for a "pedestrian-oriented, mixed use, higher-density hub demanded in a city like Summit."

Although the voting process for the Broad Street West redevelopment plan is currently stalled, amid criticism from many residents, once the old fire headquarters is demolished, and the new one is built across from the Salerno Duane Jeep dealership, the plan is to redevelop the area where the old firehouse and the current Post Office resides.

Read more: Summit Debates Broad Street West Redevelopment At Council Meeting

According to Deputy Chief Paul Imbimbo, the building foundation of the new firehouse is complete, along with underground plumbing and the electrical conduit.

The elevator shaft and the two towers that will house staircases are finished, and work on a third staircase tower is nearing completion. Crews are currently working to excavate an area for underground water retention. Structural steel elements are expected to be installed before the end of the month, Imbimbo said.

At the next Common Council meeting on Tuesday, July 26, Summit Fire Chief Eric Evers and Imbimbo are scheduled to provide an update on the project to Mayor Nora Radest and Common Council members.

You can read more about the Broad Street West redevelopment project here.

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