The modern, 10,314-square-foot facility replaces two buildings which housed the old Fire Station No. 5 and the community’s library branch. Construction on the $8.3 million project began in April 2018.  

The joint facility will make it easier for both fire and library officials to do their job, officials said.

Council President Scott Wilson filed Ordinance 2019-527 Friday at the request of Mayor Lenny Curry to authorize money from the city’s debt management/loan repayment fund to buy the former fire station property at 347 Riverside Ave.  

The council’s first reading of the bill is scheduled at its 5 p.m. Tuesday meeting at City Hall. The bill then will move to the Finance Committee and the Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee before a final vote by the full council.

According to Fire Chief Jeff Boughton, acquiring a truck like this one brings together a real community effort.   

The $32,000 truck was purchased at a discounted state price with reassigned capital funds the department had planned for another project the city elected not to do this year.

Not only did the truck come from a local auto dealer, with sophisticated detailing done by Sports World, but also MotoRace Tire, also of Prairie du Chien, has stepped forward to donate its FREEDOM Tires and Muscle Wheels as well. They are triple-belted nylon with the strongest sidewalls in the industry, which are meant to be safer in wet conditions, according to MRT owner Mark Thornburg.