Construction is still allowed. So Boca’s new fire station No. 6 at Clint Moore Road and Military Trail is on track for the fall, according to Fire Chief Tom Wood.
City council just approved a special inspection after the fact, required by the building code. But the old firehouse at 1901 Clint Moore Road was demolished in January. The crews moved out on Dec. 27 into a temporary facility in a parking lot 3 miles away to continue response times, Wood said.
The firehouse wasn’t that old. It was built in 1988, but it lacked equal facilities for women paramedic/firefighters, such as a dormitory and restrooms. “It was our oldest station not renovated. The footprint of the existing building wasn’t suitable for expansion,” Wood said.
The $5.2 million contract was awarded to Sisca Construction Services. The West Palm Beach company also built Boca police department’s forensics lab and fire stations in Palm Beach Gardens.
Boca Raton Fire Rescue Services oversees eight fire stations in city limits. They were upgraded or rebuilt through 2009 after voters approved a $17.2 million bond issue in 2002. This project was funded through the county’s sales tax, the same as the new city park Hillsboro El Rio South, Wood added.
“We’ll have four large size bays, so the station will be much more functional,” Wood said. “This project was needed and will serve the community well.”
By Marci Shatzman
