The city of Bloomington may have to replace or move four of its five existing fire stations and, pending on the outcome of annexation, add two more stations, for a total cost exceeding $30 million.
Fire Chief Jason Moore told The Herald-Times that an engineering study recommended replacement of the three stations on the city’s north, east and south sides.
According to the 2018 engineering study, Station 3, at 810 N. Woodlawn Ave., had already exceeded its expected life by about six years, the chief said. Among other challenges, firefighters are struggling with the station’s size — the gym is in the bedroom area — and undersized water lines. Firefighter Jordan Canada, who also is the president of the firefighters union, said the station dates back to the 1960s, and whenever stations get that old, maintenance costs rise to such an extent that building a new station becomes more cost effective.