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anuary 20, 2025 – West Bend, WI - The city of West Bend is moving forward with plans to build a new Fire Station No. 1 at a cost of $24 million. The finance committee will meet tonight to award the construction manager contract for the project. The new station will be built on a 12-acre parcel purchased by the city for $2.2 million.

    The fire chief has stated that the current station is too small and outdated, with inadequate space for training and apparatus. The new station will have a larger training room, sleeping quarters, and office space. It will also house the West Bend FD's ambulance service, which will be taking over from Kewaskum.

    The city plans to pay for the project through a combination of funds, but it is unclear how much money has been set aside for the construction. The $24 million price tag comes on the heels of a 64% sewer and water rate increase in the City of West Bend, as well as a gas and electric increase from We Energies.

    The new station will be built at 2151 W. Washington Street, which was purchased by the city after negotiations with Dan Johnson, who owns the property. The current lease on the land will expire in July 2025, and the taxi/bus company that occupies the space will need to relocate.

    In comparison to other recent fire department projects in the area, the $24 million price tag is significant. The Village of Jackson built a new Fire Department, Police Department, and Village Hall for around $11.7 million, while the Village of Kewaskum is building a new 21,000 square foot Village Hall for about $10 million.

    The finance committee meeting will be held at 6:25 p.m. in the council chambers at West Bend City Hall, and is open to the public.