This spring, Allendale Township will begin construction on a $7.5 million fire station, reports mlive.com.
The new facility will be built near the intersection of Lake Michigan Drive and 68th Avenue, right next to the current one, and the department is expected to move in by the end of the year, the report says.
The project has been in the works for years, as the current station lacks space and isn’t ideal for the area’s growth. The report notes that Allendale Township saw its population balloon from 20,708 residents to 26,582 from 2010 to 2020.
The new digs will include sleeping quarters, a kitchen area for when it’s converted to a 24/7 staffing model, women’s quarters, restrooms, lockers, and be handicap accessible.
The project won’t result in any tax increases, the report says. Its price tag includes the construction and outfitting of the new building, the demolition of the existing building, and reworked entrances.
Local Grand Valley State University (GVSU) and the Allendale Charter Township Downtown Development Authority (DDA) made contributions to the new construction; GVSU contributed $1 million, while DDA donated $3.5 million.
Erhardt Construction is the project’s general contractor, and it will work with Construction Simplified and Architectural Group to complete the project, according to the report.
