Council has approved an architecture firm to design the new Fire Station No. 1 in Chatham.
Architecttura Inc. submitted the highest-scoring proposal for the project, at a cost of $475,750.
Moving Fire Station No. 1 to a portion of the former St. Ursula Catholic School property at 426 Lacroix Street was approved by council back in July. The remainder of the 4.4-acre property would be redeveloped into affordable housing.
Councillor Alysson Storey expressed confusion around the land being used for a fire station and not solely for affordable housing.
“There have been a number of reports related to this property. I will go back to November 17, 2025, when we actually acquired this property initially. At that time it was acquired for housing and other purposes,” said CK General Manager of Infrastructure and Engineering Services Edward Soldo.
“Administration said through that process we would include other community uses potentially in the redevelopment, such as parks, recreation, or other potential community services on the property, such as a fire station.”
Council voted 15 to 2 in favour of awarding the contract, which will have Architecttura Inc. develop the concept design, provide cost assessments and bring a report back to council before a final decision is made on moving forward with construction.
The fire hall is set to be located on approximately one acre of the property fronting Lacroix Street and is expected to include apparatus bays, office and administrative areas, sleeping accommodations, and other operational spaces standard in a modern fire hall.