Background
During the past few years, the McKownville Fire District has been working to replace the current firehouse located at 1250 Western Avenue on the east side of the Town of Guilderland.
In April, 2024 a public referendum was held of McKownville Fire District residents regarding the proposed new firehouse project. We are very happy to report overwhelming support and approval from residents, allowing completion of the project.
From the outside it may not look like much has happened; The lion-share of the effort has been internal. Meeting with our architects and building committee, confirming design and layout of the new firehouse in a way that will be pleasing to look at for our neighbors while also being able to serve the fire protection and emergency response needs for the next generations of volunteer first responders.
We will use this webpage and the McKownville Neighborhood Association to keep our neighbors aware of the project progress as we move towards demolition and construction.
After more than a century of volunteer fire protection and emergency response services, the McKownville Fire District and Department remain committed to our community. We will continue to be “in service” and available uninterrupted for emergency responses throughout all phases of the new firehouse project.
Above is a rendering of the new firehouse as well as floor plans for the new structure. Since April 2024, a building committee representing the Department and District have worked tirelessly to ensure the building design matches as closely as possible to the conceptual renderings shown before the public referendum vote.
We believe the final building design matches, and even exceeded, that benchmark.
Project Updates
Click the dates below to show the update.
September 21, 2025 – It’s been a busy few months, with much of the work now visible from Western Avenue at both the old firehouse at 1250 and across the street at 1257 lot. Below are progress updates for all locations involved with this project.
1250 Western Avenue (current firehouse)
Over the last few weeks a complete abatement has been safely completed of all hazardous materials. All testing has come back negative for any remaining hazardous materials. Temporary fencing has been added to the site for safety, which will remain in place for the duration of demolition of the old building and sitework and building of the new firehouse. Demolition is scheduled to start tomorrow, Monday, September 22, 2025.
The old building has been disconnected from water main, sewer, and gas , and electric grid lines, and a building permit from the Town of Guilderland is in-hand. Once demolition is completed site work will be completed and the site will then be handed over to our general contractor.
1257 Western Avenue (temporary firehouse)
Over the last few days our new temporary facility has been constructed at the 1257 lot (see photos). There are a few final touches that need to be completed on that site including minor paving, electrical and IT service installation, and overall organization of the site. This facility along with our Station 2 at 100 Arcadia Avenue will provide for our operations during the construction at the 1250 site. This will allow us to completely vacate the 1250 Western site providing for faster construction times.
Consistent communication is ongoing between the McKownville Fire District’s Building Committee, contractors, sub-contractors and other vendors. Our membership is excited and we look forward to celebrating along side the community when we have a completed, top-of-the-line firehouse to serve us for many decades to come.
June 24, 2025 – A quick progress update regarding changes to our timeline for demolition of the old firehouse and construction of the new temporary building across the street.
As with any project of this scope, there are many moving parts – Some parts of the project timeline have been moved up while other parts have been pushed back a bit.
The demolition of the old firehouse has been postponed for about two months. However, construction of our temporary facility across the street has been moved up significantly and should begin any day now. You may have noticed the new fencing, site-work, and preparation over the past week.
With the exception of the fire trucks, turnout gear worn by our volunteer firefighters, and other essentials needed to maintain operations, all equipment has been removed from the old firehouse and is either in long-term storage or relocated to our Station 2 on Arcadia Avenue.
Our Building Committee is in almost daily communication on a wide range of topics and we continue to have weekly in-person meetings for more detailed discussions. We appreciate your continued support, and will keep the community in the loop as this exciting project progresses.
May 1, 2025 – We are thrilled to announce that as of early May 2025, we’re ready to begin the next phase of the new building project!
On Friday April 25, 2025 the McKownville Fire District opened sealed bids for general contractor and all sub-contractors for the new firehouse. Our architects, construction managers, building committee, commissioners, and fire district attorney have reviewed all bids received. We are confident the bids received are within our allocated budget and meet or exceed the requirements of our project. The fire district is currently in the process of formally awarding the bids and completing the necessary contract documents.
We are currently moving materials out of our current firehouse to the old Station 2 on Arcadia Avenue, finalizing the construction details of the temporary structure that will house the fire trucks and other emergency response equipment at 1257 Western Avenue, and the abatement and demolition of the current firehouse at 1250 Western Avenue.
Yes, there are now a lot of parts in motion, and we hope the community shares in the excitement of our volunteer membership as we take the next steps.