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CFD – new station construction update
Construction work has officially started for the brand-new firehouse located at 53 E. Pershing Road, which will soon become the headquarters for Engine 16, Ambulance 35, EMS Field Division South, and the city’s 5-1-1 emergency response team. The old warehouse and its basement have already been demolished, clearing the way for the foundation work that is currently underway. Crews are busy preparing the footings, marking the beginning of a significant transformation in this part of the city.
The new structure promises to be quite distinct from many of the recently constructed firehouses, though it does bear some resemblance to the one being built for Engine 109 at 2343 S. Kedzie Avenue. Unlike some of the older designs, this firehouse features a squared-off shape with large expanses of glass, giving it a modern and open appearance. The roof over the apparatus bay is flat, contrasting with the sloped, awning-style roofs seen on other stations. Additionally, the brickwork along the top of the walls is unique, and there’s more emphasis on glass elements within the interior rather than solid brick throughout.
One of the standout features of this firehouse is its square-shaped hose tower, setting it apart from some of the round towers found elsewhere. Although not all stations include hose towers, those that do tend to have rounded ones, making this square design particularly noteworthy. The station also boasts both horizontal and vertical window arrangements, offering a fresh take on traditional firehouse aesthetics. In contrast, some older stations only feature horizontal windows or lack them entirely.
For comparison, Engine 18’s current facility at 1360 S. Blue Island Avenue has far fewer glass elements in its design, opting instead for a more classic look. Similarly, Engine 84’s station at 21 W. 59th Street, home to multiple units including Truck 51 and Ambulance 36, sports a rounded hose tower—a departure from the square design planned for Engines 16 and 109. Meanwhile, Engine 59 and Engine 70 share a single firehouse at 6030 N. Clark Street, often referred to as the 'Full House,' which lacks a hose tower altogether and occupies a significantly smaller footprint at the front entrance.
Interestingly, stations equipped with hose towers typically include a conventional door integrated into the main apparatus bay door near the street level. At Engine 63’s station at 1440 E. 67th Street, the hose tower is round, similar to Engine 84’s, but it incorporates more glass above the apparatus bay compared to stations without hose towers. Conversely, Engine 38’s station at 3949 W. 16th Street mirrors other structures with a hose tower and an awning-style roof.
These design choices reflect a shift towards modernizing firehouse architecture while maintaining functionality. As the construction progresses, residents eagerly await the completion of these state-of-the-art facilities, which will undoubtedly enhance emergency response capabilities in their neighborhoods. It’s exciting to see how these changes will impact daily operations and community relations for years to come.