Williamstown, MA Members of the Williamstown Fire District, joined by local and state officials, celebrated the public groundbreaking for its new station. The facility was designed by edmSTUDIO, with Robert Mitchell of Mitchell Associates Architects serving as lead. Consigli Construction Co., Inc. is the general contractor, and Skanska Integrated Solutions (SIS) serves as the owner’s representative. Construction is expected to complete in early 2026.
Since its current station was built in 1950, the district has taken on added responsibilities, fire equipment has grown larger, and the safety requirements for stations have greatly expanded. The new, 22,000 s/f building is designed for the long future to be an operational, safe, and sustainable facility that aims for net carbon zero certification from the International Future Living Institute. The two-story building will include a five-lane apparatus bay with adequate space for safe movement around vehicles, sufficient storage of all personal protective equipment, and a new, modern training and emergency operation center for the town. To protect the health and safety of firefighters, the new station will also include “hot” and “cold” zones to separate contaminated equipment and gear from the station ‘s living and public spaces, as well as decontamination for the firefighters and their protective equipment. To help meet net carbon zero certification for the building, 100% of its energy will be generated renewably by photovoltaic equipment on site.
The construction cost is $17.9 million, which when added to design and other expenses, brings the project within the $22.5 million limit approved by the town’s voters at a district-wide meeting. Defraying that cost will be donations of $5 million from Williams College, $500,000 from The Clark Art Institute, and $225,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds from the town.
“Today we stick our shovels in the ground and move forward to build what I would consider a state-of-the-art fire station for the firefighters and its community,” said fire chief Craig Pedercini. “This building will be net zero compliant and provide for the department and our community for many years to come.”
“Consigli is excited to continue our partnership with the project team and fire district as we move into the construction phase of the fire station project. From the very beginning of our involvement, it has been inspiring to see this team work together to deliver an ambitiously sustainable project on time and within budget,” said Michael Wood, Consigli Construction, project executive. “We are committed to safely delivering a state-of-the-art-facility for the Williamstown Fire District that will allow for the continued protection and safety of the Williamstown community now and in the future, and we look forward to continued collaboration and success through the completion of construction.”
“edmSTUDIO and Mitchell Associates are proud to be part of the design team for the new Williamstown Fire Station that will set a benchmark for innovation, sustainability, and community safety. Designed with the most up-to-date fire station design standards, this facility strives to safeguard the health of the volunteer firefighters, enhance response times, and ensure the safety of the community. The station will also reflect the community’s commitment to sustainability and will be used as a shining example of fire station design across New England. Our close collaboration with town representatives and the construction team has been key to our success, and we look forward to continuing this partnership to deliver a facility that exceeds expectations and serves the community for many decades to come,” said Chris Wante of edmSTUDIO.
“We cannot thank enough the residents of the community who came out and overwhelmingly supported this project for the Fire District,” said Dave Moresi, chair of the district’s prudential committee and building committee.
“What a great day for our community,” said Williamstown select board chair Jane Patton. “Not only will this building bring our fire facility in line with our new middle-high school and new police station, but it’s been designed with an eye on the future--to operate with net-zero carbon and to be adaptable to the changing needs of small fire departments.”
“The town should be very proud not only of the fire department, and the men and women who make it up, but also of the community, with a new police station in the last few years and soon a new fire station, and still be in such a good position financially, with so much support from Clark and from Willliams,” said State Representative John Barrett III (D – 1st Berkshire). “I can’t tell you how many communities in Massachusetts would love to be in this position.”
“Skanska SIS is delighted that the construction for New Williamstown Fire Station is beginning. The planning and design effort that proceeded this groundbreaking was very thorough and will result in a very successful project for the Fire District and Williamstown. Skanska’s management team are also residents of Williamstown, which makes the success of this project even more important. The team assembled by the District is comprised of extremely experienced design and construction professionals that have come together to support the common goal of a high-quality project that is on time and on budget,” said John Benzinger, Skanska Program Executive.
