HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Progress continues on the new fire station at 23rd and Main in Hutchinson.
"They continue, for the last numerous weeks here, putting the footings in," said Fire Chief Steven Beer. "Now, they're up to putting in the flat work, as far as the apparatus floor. The south side of the building has been complete, as far as the flat work. Then they are going to the north side, where basically the living quarters are. Once they get that completed, it's my understanding, you'll start to see some things go vertical."
The hot temperatures have pushed the crews to earlier hours.
"Yeah, those guys are out there at four in the morning, pouring concrete," Beer said. "They're just starting a little earlier with the heat that we've been dealing with. We're on schedule. I've not heard of any delays, as we speak."
That means even more of the structure should be visible by the time folks come to town for the Kansas State Fair in September.
"By fair time, you would start to see some things go vertical," Beer said. "We're working with the fair and the fair board to make sure that we're not going to be the source of any issues or any concerns," Beer said. "During the fair time, we'll make sure that any work that is done is inside, so we're not distracting anything or sawing concrete, having dust or anything flying over the fair."
The city has already entered into a 99 year lease agreement with the fair for the new fire station at $1 per year. The station should be done sometime in 2023.