Public Safety Building

Project Description

The Public Safety Building project is intended to address long-standing facility needs for Saranac Lake’s emergency services. The project has focused on creating a modern facility to support the Village Police Department, the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department, and the Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad.

The Village established a Public Safety Facility reserve fund in 2022, created a Public Safety Building Committee, issued an RFQ for architectural services, and hired Wendel Five Bugles to complete feasibility, space needs, existing conditions, and design work. The Village’s project page includes feasibility reports, asbestos inspection materials, survey documents, design contracts, environmental review materials, draft plans, and a May 2026 schematic design report.

The project has been centered on the 33 Petrova Avenue property, the former St. Pius X / North Star property, which the Village has evaluated as a potential unified public safety site. Local reporting notes that the proposed facility would serve fire, rescue, and police operations, and that environmental and geotechnical studies were pursued to answer site-related questions and support grant readiness.

Project Status

The project remains in planning and schematic design. Environmental, geotechnical, feasibility, and design work have been completed or advanced, but final scope, cost, funding plan, and site decisions should be confirmed before construction proceeds. The Village received a draft schematic design report in May 2026.

Funding Summary

Project Cost: To be confirmed
Grant Award Amount: $4.5 million federal Congressionally Directed Spending award
Granting Agency / Source: Federal funding administered through USDA; Congressionally Directed Spending requested by Rep. Elise Stefanik
Village Funds: Public Safety Facility Reserve Fund; additional Village share to be confirmed
Other Funding: To be confirmed

Local reporting states that the federal award is intended to help build a new facility for police, fire, and ambulance services, and that environmental review was needed for the Village to officially access the $4.5 million award.

Public Notices

Public Notice Permissive Referendum Collier's Engineering Geotechnical Services Resolution

Public Notice Permissive Referendum KAS Environmental Site Assessment 33 Petrova Resolution

Public Notice Permissive Referendum for Public Safety Facilities Reserve 3D Scanning

Public Notice Permissive Referendum Design Services EMS Facility

Public Notice: Permissive Referendum for Expenditure from Emergency Services Capital Reserve Fund for 33 Petrova Purchase

Pre 2022

2012 Emergency Services Facilities Assessment

2018 Historic Building Assessment Report for 3 Main Street

2022

Establish Reserve Fund for Public Safety Facility

Land Purchase behind Fire Department