Chestnuthill Township supervisors broke ground Tuesday for an $11 million Shared Emergency Services Facility that will be built on Route 715 across from the West End Fire House Company Station 43.

The all-in-one facility for the West End Volunteer Fire Company, West End Community Ambulance Association and a Regional West End Emergency Operations Center will serve Chestnuthill, Jackson, Eldred, Ross, Polk and Hamilton townships. It will also provide an administrative backup location for the Monroe County Control Center and the county Office of Emergency Management.

The 19,598-square-foot building has 13,630 square feet dedicated to the fire department and 2,781 square feet dedicated to the township’s emergency operations. West End ambulances will be housed there. The price is $11,062,356 and the estimated completion is by the end of summer 2024.

The 6.5-acre tract was originally owned by the West End Fire Company and was transferred to the township.

“Having a regional center will create cost savings, more timely aid to residents, and enhanced collaboration between the townships,” township Manager David Albright said.

The center has been in the works for five-plus years.

In April, the board awarded $11,002,356 in contracts: general construction, base bid cost, $7,509,902, Bracy Construction; plumbing construction, base bid cost, $1,147,000, K.C. Mechanical; HVAC Construction; base bid cost,$747.000, Hosler Enterprise; electrical construction, base bid cost: $1,598,454, Wind Gap Electric Inc.

In July 2022, the bids were put out for the building. Keystone Engineering submitted the only bid. The bid came in at $10.2 million, above the expected range of $6 to $7 million. The fire department, the fire chief, and staff advised the supervisors to reject the bid and bid it out again in about six months. The board took the advice and rejected the bid.

Supervisors have applied for grants for the project. They received a $1 million grant from the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill.

“It is my utmost pleasure and privilege to extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you to the ground breaking ceremony for our Shared Emergency Services Facility,” said Chuck Gould, chairman of the Chestnuthill Township’s board of supervisors.

He went on to express his gratitude to the representatives of the emergency services departments and organizations present here today that included members of the West End company, the West End division of Lehigh Valley Health Network, emergency responders, the Monroe County of Emergency Management and Monroe County Control Center.

“Your dedication, selflessness, and wavering commitment to the public’s safety are an inspiration to us all. We recognize and appreciate the sacrifices you make, and we are forever grateful for your service,” Gould said.

Gould introduced Jeff Weiss, president of the West End Fire Company, saying, “Throughout the community he has been pillar of strength and has exemplified the highest standards of service, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to the well-being of our residents.”

Weiss responded, “I have dedicated my career to transforming health care delivery, improving patient care and advancing emergency response systems to new heights I look forward to supporting the building of the Shared Emergency Services Facility.”

Monroe County Commissioner John Christy pledged the commissioners’ support to ensuring the well-being of Monroe County residents.

The township expects completion by the end of next summer.