WASHINGTON PARK, Ill. – Construction is underway in Washington Park, Illinois, for a new building that will house the city’s fire department.

Mayor Leonard Moore says he’s glad to get the work underway after a disastrous fire.

“I don’t have words to even explain how it feels. It’s been a long time coming,” Moore said.

It was three years ago this month when the Washington Park Fire Department and Public Works building went up in flames. It was completely destroyed.

“When the fire was happening, I was in the hospital,” Moore said. “All of a sudden, I see ‘breaking news.’ When I looked at it, I just knew the building was gone because it was engulfed.”

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The city announced in early August that funding by the state had been secured for this new facility.

It will exclusively house the city’s fire department, complete with shelter and showers for firefighters. It will also have parking for firetrucks.

East St. Louis City Councilman Courtney Hoffman says the building addresses a serious emergency.

“The fire department is being evicted from their location. We can’t leave it outside, so we were forced to make a decision,” Hoffman said.

That decision to build a fire station was out of necessity.

It will be quite different from the old public works building, which held many government services, including public works, police administration, and the street department.

Assistant Fire Chief Ronnie Harris says the fire department’s equipment will be protected.

“We can do the things that we are required to do in peace, again,” Harris said. “Continue to do the job and get the trucks out the door in a timely manner.”

Mayor Moore did not give a specific time for the work to be done, but he does say it should be finished by this winter.

Once this project is complete, the city will move on to buildings for police and public works.

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