Plans presented for new Bullville Firehouse

By Trevor Eichler
Posted 6/21/22

A site plan to construct a new firehouse in Bullville is in the works. Commissioner of the Bullville Fire District Bruce Schwope approached the Town of Crawford Planning Board with the idea for a …

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Plans presented for new Bullville Firehouse

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A site plan to construct a new firehouse in Bullville is in the works. Commissioner of the Bullville Fire District Bruce Schwope approached the Town of Crawford Planning Board with the idea for a brand new 12,800 square foot firehouse facility, replacing the old one located at 2891 Route 17K.

“Our existing building was built in 1973, and it’s showing signs of wear. We’ve put on additions throughout the years as trucks and equipment got bigger and more advanced, but we’ve simply run out of room. It’s time for an upgrade,” explained Schwope.

The current Bullville firehouse measures 6,100 square feet, and the plans for the new facility double the existing unit at 12,800 square feet, and will be constructed in the same footprint. The firehouse received two bids for the new facility, one for $3.6 million, and the other for $5.2 million. They are both active until August.

“We don’t necessarily have to break ground now, but it would be nice to get the ball rolling. There’s still some paperwork and logistics that need to be worked out, so I’m hoping by August, with the public’s approval, we can start moving forward,” said Schwope.

The Town of Crawford Planning Board made the decision to hold a public hearing on July 13 to get the community’s input.

The new building will be completed in two stages if the department is given the go-ahead. A new and larger truck room would be first.

“We aren’t planning on changing any entrances for the trucks, and all the truck bays will line up with the preexisting sidewalk cuts in the concrete,” said Bruce Guttenplan, Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners.

The second step would be the construction of a new community room, to hold meetings and events. The new building will be made of steel, instead of concrete, and all of the floor elevations will be the same as the preexisting station.

“We really can’t wait until August to get things going, because then we will be cutting really close with the bid running out. Next step is getting all our ducks in a row, and getting the public’s approval,” said Schwope.