Village Project: Facility / Public Safety Building

The Public Safety Building Project was established in 2022 to address long-standing facility needs for Saranac Lake’s emergency services. The original vision was to create a combined facility for the Village Police Department, Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department, and Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad.

As part of this effort, the Village established a Public Safety Facility reserve fund, formed a Public Safety Building Committee, issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for architectural services, and hired Wendel Five Bugles to complete a Feasibility Study and Schematic Design Report.

The planning process focused primarily on the Village-owned property at 33 Petrova Avenue, formerly the St. Pius X / North Star property.

Over time, the planning process provided valuable information about facility requirements, operational priorities, site considerations, and anticipated costs.

Final Public Safety Building Committee Recommendations

At its September 28, 2026 meeting, the Public Safety Building Committee adopted two recommendations:

1. Separate Fire and Rescue Facilities

The Committee recommended Pius (33 Petrova Avenue) as the location for separate Fire and Rescue facilities, with the Village building the Fire Station and the Rescue Squad funding its own building on the same property.

• Motion by Julie Harjung, Rescue Chief

• Seconded by Brendan Keough, Retired Fire Chief

• Motion carried with no opposing votes and one abstention.

2. Police Department Location

The Committee recommended that the Saranac Lake Police Department remain at its current location in the Armory for as long as feasible.

• Motion by Jordanna Mallach, Harrietstown Supervisor

• Seconded by Darin Perrotte, Police Chief

• Motion carried with no opposing votes.

The Committee's recommendations were advisory and did not constitute formal Village Board approval of a site, construction project, or funding commitment.

These recommendations marked the conclusion of the Committee's evaluation of the combined public safety facility concept and helped inform the Village's next steps.

Moving Forward: Village Fire Station Project

With the combined public safety facility concept no longer being pursued, the Village is transitioning to a dedicated Fire Station Project.

The Village's priority is to develop a practical, affordable solution that meets the operational needs of the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department while respecting the financial resources and responsibilities of Village taxpayers.

Learn about the Fire Station project here.