The new ladder and rescue trucks will be stationed at Ladder 6 station on Atwells Avenue. The safety equipment upgrade was needed, according to city officials.  

"It is critical that our firefighters have access to modern equipment and tools that help them to do their life-saving work effectively," said Mayor Jorge Elorza.

Elorza said the station responds to more than 1,800 calls, mainly in the West End neighborhood and in parts of the North End and South Side neighborhoods each year.

Sherman last summer revealed its desire to build a 22-story apartment tower and six-story apartment building on the block bounded by S. Washington Avenue, Portland Avenue, S. 3rd Street and S. 5th Avenue. It said at the time that it hoped to reach a deal with the city to relocate the fire station, a two-story structure at 530 S. 3rd that dates back to 1909.  

Since then, the firm has worked with an architecture firm that specializes in public-safety buildings and reached the outline of a deal with the city. Under it, Sherman would buy the existing station, build the new one, sell the new one to the city, tear down the old one and then construct the apartment building and parking ramp.

The six-story building would be built along S. 3rd, including on the corner of the existing station and adjacent to the new one. Its 90 units would be designated as "affordable" housing that are rented at below market rates.