SAU-MSI to create new fire station for SIAMU with sports facilities open for use by local residents

23 May 2019

On the joint proposal of the Secretary of State for Firefighting and Emergency Medical Assistance and the Minister-President, the Brussels Government has today approved mixed development plans for the site of 409 Chaussée de Mons, between the Canal and Chaussée de Mons in Anderlecht. The plans involve the construction of a new fire station, the relocation of a number of SIAMU-DBDMH logistical services and the creation of shared sports facilities which will be independent from the fire station for the use of SIAMU-DBDMH and local residents.

As the Secretary of State and the Minister-President emphasise, ‘The Region’s ambition is to provide equipment on this site that will both allow firefighters to carry out their duties as effectively as possible and provide the Cureghem district with new facilities intended for the city, to the benefit of the district’s inhabitants and users. The plans reflect a threefold approach:

First, the modernisation of SIAMU-DBDMH fire stations across the Brussels Region in order to meet today’s standards in terms of personnel convenience and comfort and building sustainability.

Second, the principle of functional diversity promoted by the Canal Plan and a response to certain needs diagnosed during the development of the Urban Regeneration Contract.

And third, the desire to optimise the use of the available land and financial resources.’

To implement this project, the Brussels Government has entrusted the Development Corporation (SAU-MSI) with a delegated assignment to:

launch and conduct preliminary studies;
launch and monitor the project designer's mission until the submission of the planning application;
define financial and legal arrangements for the subsequent stages (works tendering and execution).

The new construction plans represent a gross area of around 5,600 m², including some 1,000 m² of sports facilities. The total budget (studies and works) is currently estimated at 16.5 million euros including VAT, of which 3 million euros is budgeted for the sports facilities. Until the project is completed, the existing premises will be temporarily occupied by a voluntary project and SIAMU-DBDMH.

A project made possible by collaboration between the Region and the various stakeholders

Owned by SIAMU-DBDMH since 7 November 2018, the site of 409 Chaussée de Mons will become home to the relocated Fire Service Outpost (PASI) currently located at 627 Chaussée de Mons, which requires very expensive renovations. The future building will also host a number of logistics services currently located at the fire service headquarters in Héliport (the mask lab and workwear service); this will be more convenient and efficient as well as freeing up space at the overcrowded Héliport facility.

On the acquisition of the site, the SAU-MSI was tasked with developing outline plans in line with SIAMU-DBDMH’s needs and with analysing any other potential the site might have. These plans were worked out under the supervision of the cabinets of the Secretary of State and the Minister-President, in collaboration with SIAMU-DBDMH, the Chief Architect, urban.brussels, perspective.brussels, the municipality of Anderlecht, Brussels Mobility and Brussels Environment.

A project open to the surrounding area

As the Secretary of State and the Minister-President explain, ‘The starting-point for defining this programme was the overlap between the needs of SIAMU and those of the local area. It led to a search for ways to share spaces in order to optimise the use of the site and public funding. Thus, as well as a private gym for SIAMU-DBDMH, the plans include a larger gym that will be independent from the fire station and accessible for use by local people and SIAMU-DBDMH. The plans demonstrate the fire service’s willingness to create a fire station that is open to the city and that plays a part in the redevelopment of the district of Cureghem.’