GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The Grand Rapids Fire Department has broken ground on its first new fire station in 37 years.
Tuesday, a ceremonial groundbreaking was held at the site of the Kendall Street Fire Station, which will be located at the intersection of Kalamazoo Avenue SE and Kendall Street in the city’s 3rd Ward.
When completed, 12 personnel will be assigned to the fire station, as well as a new engine. This will allow for a three-person engine crew to operate 24/7.
The 12,600 square-foot fire station will also have features such as individual dorms, drive-thru apparatus bays, and plenty of storage space.
Grand Rapids Fire Chief Brad Brown said the project has been about a decade in the making, after issues such as lagging response in the Third Ward had been identified. Brown said the fire department had only been meeting its response time goal in the area about 50% of the time and the new station will help change that.
“In the core of the city, we’re well above 90%. It stands to reason on the edge of town, it’s less density but down here is kind of an anomaly. This district has 14,000 residents in it. More than cities that surround us,” Chief Brown said. “So, we’re very excited to see those times come down in this area.”
The $8.1-million fire station is being paid for with a special state grant. Brown added that the federal government has agreed to pay for staffing for three full years.
The Kendall Street Fire Station is expected to be completed in the fall of 2025. It will be the city’s 12th fire station.