Slingerlands Fire District, Station No. 1; Ny

Winner of a 2018 Notable Design Award from Firehouse Magazine

The Slingerlands Volunteer Fire Department was established in an abandoned, bluestone railroad station in 1928.  A new fire station built on the site in 1965 also used local bluestone.  A stucco addition added in 2000 to modestly lengthened the bays and added a meeting room, toilets, and kitchen.  Even with the lengthening, the bays were tight in all directions and turnout gear was crammed between the trucks. The expansion to the existing fire station was also needed due to the creation of the Vista Technology Park. The department did not have room for a staging place during emergencies.

The $1.7 million renovation/addition construction budget was modest in response to the 2008 financial crisis, but still accommodated NYS prevailing wages and multiple primes.  Choices needed to be made.  The tight site could not be affordably expanded. Because the department already participated in a town-wide training center, they decided not to include training features in the building. In spite of the budget the project provided:

• 9 foot lengthening of the existing bays
• 2 new bays
• Gear locker area
• Radio room
• Decon/laundry
• Utility garage
• Mechanic’s workshop
• Locked storage
• Dayroom with ADA compliant bathrooms
• New entry to solve existing elevation changes in the building

The design fits the neighborhood of gracious 19^th century homes.  The use of bluestone and stucco ties the new construction into the existing building and the historic district.

Slingerlands in the News

Years of planning ends with groundbreaking.

Award Winner