Construction Ongoing at Katonah Firehouse

Renovations to the Katonah firehouse are coming along nicely, with more than half of the project completed, according to officials.

"We are kind of targeting, at this point, the end of March to be down to the short strokes on the construction," Fire Commissioner Hank Bergson said. "That means that in March, the first part of April, we'll be able to move the fire trucks back into the fire station, dismantle the termporary building and we anticipate all things continuing along."

The department announced renovation plans—which call for expanding the chief's office; repainting; repairing and resurfacing the floor to accomodate heavier apparatus; and replacing a backup generator that is 26 years old—in March 2012.

By late September, bids had been awarded. Construction started shortly thereafter.

The addition of a training tower is part of the project, too, according to this page on the department's website. The temporary building Bergson noted is housing apparatus for the interim.

"The main floor has been laid so we're into the period of the concrete curing," Bergson told Patch. "We're moving right along with the drill tower and the annex alterations. Everything is as big as it's going to get. We're doing the brick and the masonry work."

So far, the renovations have come in below budget, according to Bergson, who acknowledged that surprises are always possible when it comes to large projects. Voters approved the plans, which are set to cost no more than $3 million, in May.

Department members expect construction will be finished in time for this year's carnival, which is typically held in June. The annual chili night fundraiser, which usually happens in November, was canceled this year.