A public meeting was held Monday evening to announce the lowest qualified bidders for the construction of the Syosset Fire District's Station 2 firehouse along Woodbury Road in Woodbury. The project, designed by architect and Riverhead resident Martin Sendlewski, was put out for bid last month; the bid opening was held on April 10.

The project's overall cost of $5.14 million includes demolition of the existing buildings, construction of the new firehouse and utilities work, and - at the request of the Nassau County Department of Public Works - the partial reconstruction of a boxed culvert that runs alongside Woodbury Road.

Funding for the Station 2 project will come from a reserve capital account set up by the board of Fire Commissioners solely for buildings and grounds projects; no other funding source, such as a capital bond issue or a loan, will be required for the completion of this project, nor will there be an increase in taxes to pay for the new firehouse.

The construction project will be managed by the Syosset-based firm of Lockwood, Kessler & Bartlett (LKB). As the designated owner-based construction management firm, LKB will be responsible for overseeing, inspecting and monitoring the project on behalf of the Syosset Fire District. The new Station 2, which will replace a 54-year old building originally designed to house a single fire engine, is scheduled for completion by spring 2007.

"The response from bidders on this project shows that the design documents were very well organized and presented," said Syosset Fire District Commissioner Giovanni Graceffa. "This was made possible thanks to a thorough constructability analysis of the project performed by an independent firm, as well as a comprehensive understanding of the unique needs of the Woodbury Fire Company, the Syosset Fire Department and the Syosset Fire District."

Graceffa continued: "The new station house will be an important resource in helping to ensure the safety of the residents in our district. On behalf of the board of commissioners and the residents of Syosset and Woodbury, I would like to thank everyone who took part in this effort."

The Syosset Fire District is responsible for overseeing the provision of fire suppression, prevention, and inspection services and emergency medical services in Syosset, Woodbury and portions of several surrounding communities. The district was established on September 7, 1927 by a resolution of the Nassau County Board of Supervisors and held its first meeting on November 11, 1927. Its 14.3 square-mile response area is the largest in Nassau County and includes a diverse mix of residential and commercial structures, school facilities, houses of worship, nursing homes and a hospital. Approximately 30,000 people reside in the Syosset Fire District; it is estimated that a third of a million additional people cross through the district each day via the Long Island Rail Road, the Long Island Expressway and other thoroughfares.