The city’s largest fire department calls for modern facilities
SELKIRK – The Selkirk Fire District has submitted a proposal to build a new fire station at 1160 Route 9W, Selkirk, which was discussed at the City of Bethlehem Planning Board meeting on Tuesday, August 6.
The district’s three existing stations were originally built in 1928, 1952 and 1956 and are outdated due to today’s fire department standards – larger vehicles, hazardous waste disposal infrastructure and modern equipment, district officials said.
The project includes the construction of a 21,800 square foot facility on a 73.8-acre site, with development affecting approximately 3.8 acres of the site. The proposed fire station will include three double-deep garage bays, a radio room, decontamination and laundry facilities, an ADA compliant bathroom, a community room, district office space, training areas on a mezzanine level, and a drill room.
The plan, last reviewed in April 2023, has undergone significant revisions, including changes in the site layout to avoid newly designated federal wetlands on the property, the parking lot was relocated, and stormwater management systems were adjusted to comply with environmental regulations.
The district is also working to obtain necessary permits, including from the Army Corps of Engineers and the New York State Department of Transportation.
The Planning Board will review the State Environmental Quality Report classification, which was classified as an “unlisted” action, and consider issuing a negative declaration stating that the project is not expected to have a significant environmental impact. If approved, this fire station will consolidate two existing facilities and provide improved services to the Selkirk community.
The Board should review the draft approval documents and discuss next steps in the approval process before this issue goes to press.
The district has been working for several years to break ground on a new headquarters, with residents initially rejecting a $17.8 million plan in 2018 before approving a scaled-down version that promised no tax increases less than two years later.
To gain public support, county officials described time-consuming detours and safety deficiencies. Tight garage spaces prevented firefighters from entering vehicles from the inside, while exhaust fumes from running engines quickly filled the garage with carbon monoxide. The outdated stations also lacked adequate space for decontamination stations.
According to a map on the district’s website, the Selkirk Fire District encompasses nearly 30 square miles and covers 60 percent of the city, including the SABIC chemical company, the CSX Rail Yard and several other operations along River Road to the Albany city limits.
