East Northport Fire District

Substation Replacement

Originally constructed in the 1930s as a potato barn, the old substation had only one overhead door for two apparatus bays, leading to concerns about vehicle movement and response times. The old building was not energy efficient and lacked sufficient administrative and support spaces. Sited on a 100×200 foot lot, a brand-new ground-up building would also have to be residential neighborhood-friendly.

The old parking lot was too narrow for 2-way traffic. The design team added a 1-way drive around the building to improve traffic flow and responder safety. The rest of the building emphasized verticality: the team included a second floor and a basement under the heavily reinforced apparatus bays. A second door in the bays improved response capability and an indoor generator served the substation while also respecting the neighbors.