Irondequoit, Monroe County, NY — The St. Paul Boulevard Fire District in Irondequoit moved forward with a critical infrastructure bond vote on December 30, 2025, seeking community approval for a $22 million firehouse construction project. The proposed facility would replace the existing fire station on Cooper Road, addressing longstanding safety and infrastructure concerns that firefighters have raised for years, according to coverage by News10NBC (WHEC), the Rochester NBC affiliate.
The $22 million firehouse project addresses critical deficiencies in the current St. Paul Boulevard Fire District station:
Fire Chief Ken Stavalone made the case for the project at public meetings, stating: "It's all about firefighter health and safety — and I really want to help those who help us. These firefighters put their lives on the line every day, and I never want to have to worry that we're not doing enough to keep them safe to do that job."
Bond Referendum Specifics:
For taxpayers, the bond would increase annual tax bills by approximately $62 per household per year, representing a modest but measurable fiscal commitment. This cost-per-household figure demonstrates the scale of the investment relative to the broader tax base and reflects how local bond financing distributes costs across the community.
Station Address: 433 Cooper Road, Irondequoit, NY
The existing fire station has served the Irondequoit and St. Paul Boulevard fire district for decades but is no longer adequate for modern firefighting operations and safety standards. The combination of aging infrastructure, equipment space limitations, and safety code compliance issues creates both operational challenges and health risks for firefighters.
While specific architectural details for the proposed new firehouse were not yet fully disclosed, News10NBC reported that Fire Chief Stavalone provided detailed presentations at public meetings explaining the facility's needs, current deficiencies, and how the new design would address these issues.
Typical modern firehouse designs at this price point include:
Modern firehouse design has become increasingly important for firefighter health and safety. Research has shown that older fire stations with inadequate decontamination facilities and poor ventilation expose firefighters to carcinogenic compounds from smoke and combustion byproducts. The new facility would incorporate modern safety features specifically designed to protect firefighter health during and after their shifts.
Bond votes for municipal infrastructure projects require community support and reflect broader priorities in local government:
If the bond vote passes, the project would likely move through design refinement and permitting phases in early 2026, with construction anticipated to begin mid-to-late 2026. Firehouse construction typically takes 18-24 months, suggesting potential completion in 2027-2028.
The project would create opportunities for:
The outcome of the December 30, 2025 bond referendum would determine whether the project moves forward. A successful vote would authorize the fire district to issue bonds and begin the design and development process. Failure would require the district to explore alternative solutions for addressing the facility's critical deficiencies.
Fire Chief Stavalone's public presentations—which included detailed information about the facility's problems, needs assessment process, and design solutions—are publicly available and provide insight into the comprehensive planning behind the project.
For Rochester-area construction professionals and contractors, watching public bond votes and infrastructure project announcements provides early visibility into upcoming projects and opportunities for participation.
Follow Westside Construction Group's blog for continuing coverage of public construction projects, bond announcements, and infrastructure development across Rochester and Monroe County.
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