CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — In Tuesday night’s meeting, a council bill was approved, allowing the Champaign Fire Department to proceed with hiring an architectural firm for the construction of the new Fire Station No. 3.

The board decided to consolidate two council bills during the discussion: The first bill allows the City Manager to finalize an agreement with Dewberry Architects Inc. for design services for the Fire Station No. 3 project, and the second bill concerns the official intent for certain expenditures to be reimbursed from the proceeds of an obligation. The vote was unanimous, with the board approving both bills 9-0.

“This is a long time coming for Fire Station No. 3,” said board member Davion Williams during the meeting.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign Fire Department is seeking approval from the city for the next phase of a crucial project aimed at enhancing public safety.

Champaign Fire is trying to build a new Station 3 on the corner of Neil Street and Bradley Avenue. The old building is off of N Bradley and N Harris Avenues. Fire Chief Andy Quarnstrom said this station is the oldest in the city and doesn’t meet the standards for a modern fire station.

He also said this new facility will remedy those issues and help firefighters get to emergencies quicker. Tuesday night, Champaign City Council will vote on whether or not to let the department move forward with Dewberry Architects Inc., an architectural firm.

“In this case, it’s Dewberry out of the Chicago area who has built quite a few fire stations in the suburbs and throughout the country,” Quarnstrom said. “So, we’re excited to get that step behind us and we can start working with the architect to actually create the fire station plans and have a better visual of what we can expect.”

Quarnstrom said hiring the company on will cost $800,000. The money would come from existing city funds.

He also said the old facility will be turned into something but he’s not sure what yet. A couple of possibilities he said were a new home for the Investigations Division or public education.