Manhattan Fire District Advances New Station with $8.75M Bond Hearing, Approves Contracts with $194,000 Savings
Article Summary: The Manhattan Fire Protection District is moving forward with plans for a new Station 81 after holding a public hearing for an $8.75 million bond sale and approving rebid contracts for roofing, doors, and flooring that resulted in approximately $194,000 in savings. With earthwork already underway, the board is also exploring investment strategies for the bond proceeds to maximize returns for the district.
New Station 81 Project Key Points:
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A public hearing was held concerning the intent to sell up to $8,750,000 in General Obligation Bonds to fund the new fire station’s construction and equipment.
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The Board of Trustees awarded rebid contracts for roofing, overhead doors, and flooring finishes for the new facility.
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Net savings on the approved bid packages totaled approximately $194,000 compared to initial estimates.
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Chief Steve Malone reported that preliminary earthwork has already begun at the new station’s site.
The Manhattan Fire Protection District Board of Trustees took significant steps on Monday, August 18, 2025, to advance the construction of a new Station 81, holding a key public hearing and awarding construction contracts that yielded substantial savings.
The board opened the meeting with a public hearing on its intent to sell not more than $8,750,000 in General Obligation Bonds. These bonds, designated as an Alternate Revenue Source, are intended to finance the construction and equipping of the new fire station. No objections were raised by the public during the hearing. The board later approved the treasurer’s report, which included a presentation on managing the proceeds from the eventual bond sale.
John Falduto of Sawyer Falduto, an investment management service, explained via Zoom how the funds could be handled. He proposed investing the bond proceeds in a high-interest money market fund with no risk tolerance, using U.S. Treasury notes as a potential vehicle. Falduto assured the board that his firm works with many fire districts and that monthly reports would be provided. District accountant James Howard noted that accounts would be established quickly to begin earning interest on the funds as soon as they are available, citing that “rates are good right now.”
Following the financial discussions, the board moved to new business, focusing on awarding rebid packages for the Station 81 project. The rebids covered roofing, overhead doors, flooring finishes, and landscaping. The results showed significant cost reductions in two key areas.
The roofing contract came in at $155,000 less than the original bid, and the flooring finishes saw a savings of $50,000. A bid for new overhead doors saw a slight increase of $9,300 due to changes in size and type requirements. In total, the approved packages represent a net savings of approximately $194,000 for the district. The board approved the rebid packages for the doors, roofing, and flooring as presented by ICI Builds.
A decision on the landscaping rebid was deferred. According to meeting minutes, the board will “hold off on the landscaping rebid at this time as we continue to work on the details with the Village of Manhattan concerning the IGA [Intergovernmental Agreement].”
In his report to the board, Fire Chief Steve Malone confirmed that the project is physically underway. “Earthwork has started at the site of the new station,” Malone stated. He added that the district’s building committee continues to meet weekly and is working to resolve easement issues with ComEd, BP, and Nicor. A construction trailer is scheduled to be delivered to the site this week.
Meeting Briefs:
Fire District to Address Dangerous Intersections
Fire Chief Steve Malone announced he will meet with the Will County Department of Transportation to address safety concerns at multiple accident-prone intersections. The district will provide data to help find solutions for Route 50 and Countyline Road, as well as Wilmington-Peotone Road. Malone noted that finding a resolution “may be a long process but is hopefully moving forward,” aimed at reducing the number of accidents at these locations.
District Reports Strong Financials and Ambulance Revenue
The district’s financial health remains strong, according to a 7-month analysis presented by accountant James Howard. Revenue highlights included a positive trend in ambulance service fees, which are averaging approximately $97,000 per month. Howard reported that this figure is an improvement over the previous year. He also stated that interest rates on district funds are “still looking good,” contributing positively to the district’s financial standing.
Staffing for Will County Fair, Hiring Process Continues
The fire district is preparing for the upcoming Will County Fair by increasing its staffing levels to handle the influx of visitors and potential emergencies. In his report, Deputy Chief Dave Piper confirmed the district “will be up staffed during this time.” Chief Steve Malone also reported that the hiring process for new full-time personnel is progressing, with oral interviews scheduled for the coming week to maintain stable manpower for the district.
Deputy Chief Raises Concerns Over Trauma Center Shortage
Deputy Chief Dave Piper informed the board about a recent meeting with the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association concerning the limited availability of hospital trauma centers in the region. The issue is a growing concern for fire and emergency medical services that respond to severe injuries. The association and local fire officials are monitoring the situation, which impacts how and where critically injured patients are transported for care.
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