Leopardo Construction Breaks Ground on Two New Fire Stations in Aurora, Illinois

Leopardo Construction recently broke ground on the new Fire Station 13, which will be located near the Chicago Premium Outlets mall and the future Hollywood Casino location in Aurora, Illinois, as well as the new Fire Station 9, located at 7S300 Eola Road, just south of Liberty Street. The groundbreaking ceremonies were attended by key members of Leopardo’s construction team, representatives of Aurora’s fire protection district, and Aurora Mayor Richard C. Irvin. These groundbreakings mark a significant milestone in the city of Aurora’s commitment to safety, security and well-being for the community.

“This new fire station represents not just the expansion of our emergency services but a step towards building a safer, stronger future for all of us,” Mayor Irvin said at the Fire Station 13 groundbreaking.

With no fire stations currently north of Interstate 88, the new 20,000-square-foot Station 13 facility will greatly reduce response times to residents and other areas of the community. Constructed on a 2.5-acre site at the intersection of Bilter Road and Nan Street, across from residential homes, the station will include new features to help make operations safer and more efficient, such as a “dirty” side and a “clean” side of the building to limit firefighters’ exposure to harmful toxins to which they are exposed while on the job, enabling them to shower and change into a clean uniforms as quickly as possible before reentering the part of the building in which they live and work. The station will also feature specialized ventilation systems for both firefighters’ gear and vehicle exhaust, as well as gear washers and dryers to minimize carcinogens that get on the gear during a fire.

“We are thrilled to again be working with our friends in Aurora,” said Leopardo executive vice president Leigh McMillen. “Having partnered previously in the building of the city’s police headquarters and branch court facility, we are proud to once again be contributing to the security and wellbeing of the community and further strengthen our relationship with those who serve and protect every day.”

The groundbreaking for the new Fire Station 9 was held a few weeks later on the facility’s 2.5-acre site.

Leopardo is working closely with the City of Aurora and architect FGMA to complete the projects by the end of 2025.