Lake Forest Unveils Concept For $13M Fire Station Upgrade

LAKE FOREST, IL — Lake Forest officials shared an update on its roughly $13 million renovation of the Public Safety Building, which is transforming the site into a dedicated, modern fire station.

The city said it has spent the past several months developing renovation plans for the building, with input from a Resident Advisory Group. The designs remain conceptual, but city materials outline a broader remake of the facility once the Police Department vacates the space.

According to the city, the project would allow the Fire Department to expand into the full Public Safety Building on Deerpath. The conceptual plans include enhanced living quarters for firefighters, improved training spaces, operational upgrades, expanded apparatus bays and exterior facade improvements intended to update the building’s appearance.

The city described the project as an investment in a facility designed to support current firefighting operations. According to the city, the renovated station is intended to give the Fire Department the space, tools and resources needed to serve the community while also providing a high-quality environment for firefighters.

Funding for the project is expected to come from existing capital resources, according to the city. City materials state that approach would avoid debt service or additional impact to taxpayers while remaining in line with City Council fund balance policies.

The current timeline calls for construction to be phased over two fiscal years. According to the city, work is expected to begin in early 2027 during FY27 and continue into FY28.

The plan marks the next step in a broader public safety transition tied to the Police Department’s future move. For Lake Forest residents, the project outlines how the building could be repurposed for fire operations and what improvements may be included as the city reshapes the site.

Because the designs are still conceptual, additional details could emerge as planning continues. For now, the city has offered an early look at a renovation it says is meant to modernize the Fire Department’s home on Deerpath without adding new borrowing or raising additional taxpayer costs.