West Allis Fire Station No. 1

Fire station showcases city’s community spirit

By Brendan O’Brien

Few things can symbolize a city's tradition and community spirit better than a good firehouse.

West Allis wanted a good firehouse, and that's just what it got when it turned to Plunkett Raysich Architects LLP, Milwaukee, and WB Corp., West Bend, to design and build the 10,800-square-foot Fire Station No. 1.

The station, located in the heart of West Allis, was built to resemble a traditional firehouse with a public lobby, three-story hose tower and a traditional brass fire pole.

The exterior of the firehouse features 10-foot ladder brackets, a red brick façade and a clay tile roof.

"If you took off the sign, you would still know it was a fire station with the detailing that was done," said Dan Gonwa, WB Corp. project manager.

The three-bay glass doors that make up the center of the building allow passers-by to view the Fire Department's vehicles and equipment.

"The glass fire doors form a big opening showcasing the equipment," said John Holz, a Plunkett Raysich architect and designer of the fire station. "It really lights up like a beacon."

The structure is an example of teamwork between the designers and contractors, both of whom were tested by the building's one-third-acre plot that offered little construction space.

"Along 73rd Street and National Avenue, we only had about 10 feet until the building structure," Gonwa said. "We had to block off part of 73rd Street because the existing staging area was taken up by the masons with their mortar mixers."

That part of the project caused the contractors to diligently conserve on space and control the timing of material delivery.

"It meant that everyone had to bring their supplies as they needed them," Gonwa said.

Although the space was a challenge for the contractors, the structure was intentionally designed in close proximity to the street to invite the community to view the fire station.

"By putting the building against the street, we said to the community, 'You are welcome here,'" Holz said. "Fire stations are buildings people really rally around."

Soil quality posed another problem for the project team. WB's crews found a vast amount of waste left over from previous buildings.

	Project Name: West Allis Fire Station No. 1 Location: West Allis Submitting Companies: Plunkett Raysich Architects LLP, Milwaukee, and WB Corp., West Bend General Contractor/Construction Manager: WB Corp. Architect: Plunkett Raysich Architects LLP Engineers: J. Robbins & Associates, Oconomowoc, structural engineer; Czarnecki Engineering, Pewaukee, electrical engineer; Engineering Concepts Inc., Waukesha, HVAC and plumbing engineer Owner: City of West Allis Project Cost: $2 million Start Date: May 2002 Completion Date: May 2003

"That particular site was the site of many municipal buildings over the course of many years," Gonwa said. "So when we started digging, we hit contaminated soil, timber and concrete. You name it, we hit it. So it created kind of a problem."

Between the old fire station, which has been turned into administrative offices, and Fire Station No. 1 sits a courtyard designed to memorialize the sacrifice of firefighters and to foster community spirit.

"Essentially, the Fire Department just wanted a box for their fire trucks," Holz said. "But we were able to give them so much more. We created a real civic piece for the community to foster civic pride."

Both Holz and Gonwa said they were honored to be part of the project.

"Every little boy wants to be a fireman and architect," Holz said. "I could have never imagined an opportunity to be both."