NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — City leaders are moving forward with plans to build a new fire station to replace station two.
The project -- which will cost between $2.3 million to $2.5 million -- is five years in the making. Officials say they put it on hold for multiple reasons, including annexation.
The current Fire Station 2 is on High Street. City manager Debbie Manns said it's in depreciated condition, it doesn't meet zoning compliance, and isn't large enough to accommodate what's desired for a fire station.
According to the proposal, the new station will be about 8,741-square-feet. It'll include an apparatus room with two drive-through bays, a decontamination room, private bunk rooms, a training room, a kitchen, an exercise room and a captain /district chief bunk.
"It's critical... to provide firefighters a place where they can be proud, relax, and a place where they can keep up with their training," said Manns.
The new station will be located at the Marine Parkway and Grand Boulevard intersection, putting it closer to U.S. 19.
"Provides some improved access to US 19 -- which is one of our hot spots --so we can get out there a little quicker," she said.
Manns said they will use grant funds and a USDA low interest loan to pay for the project. The plan is to start construction before the end of the year, and open in 2021.
