The Chesterton Fire Department will soon move across the tracks to a downtown Porter building while the fire station is being remodeled.
Chesterton Town Council on May 30 finalized the arrangements to rent the Tilden Enterprises building, 360 Lincoln St., for seven months from June 1 through Dec. 31. Chesterton has started a $4 million remodeling project for the Town Hall and adjoining fire station at 8th Street and Broadway.
Fire Chief Sean O’Donnell said that they are looking to move around the end of June.
During a public hearing before the council vote, Tom Fieffer, a resident of South 15th Street, raised concerns about the move because 90% of Chesterton is south of the tracks.
“My concern is our fire department is going to be in another community and we are all very aware of the number of trains that go through here on a regular basis,” Fieffer said.
Fieffer wondered why the town couldn’t find a temporary location in Chesterton during the fire station’s remodeling.
“There could be huge delays in response time,” Fieffer said.
While acknowledging the resident has a valid point, O’Donnell said that the Tilden Enterprises building emerged as the best and most affordable option.
Town Engineer Mark O’Dell helped O’Donnell and Deputy Fire Chief Aimee Gilbert explore options during the past few months, including potential Chesterton sites.
O’Dell said the estimated cost would have been between $75,000 to $200,000 for options that included a temporary trailer.
“We couldn’t find anything that would fill the requirements in the town,” O’Dell said.
The Tilden Enterprises building is 9,120 square feet with two fire bay-sized doors that can accommodate the town’s fire engines.
The rental price is $6,300 per month, which adds up to $44,100 over the seven-month term. O’Dell said the building’s owners were extremely helpful with the short-term lease arrangement.
Chesterton will install a bathroom and shower on the building’s second floor. O’Donnell said that his staff will do the installation work.
O’Dell said that Larson-Danielson, the contractor, agreed to give the town a credit of $22,650, which is just over half of the rental cost.
As for the concerns about response time, O’Donnell said while they are in the Porter quarters they will “make things work.”
O’Donnell said there are alternative routes and that mutual aid from other departments can help.
The Chesterton Fire Department could be back in the station well before Dec. 31 if construction goes well, O’Donnell said.
Councilwoman Erin Collins, D-2nd, said she believes the arrangement works better for everyone because the fire department will be out of the way of contractors during construction.
Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
