Friday’s groundbreaking for the “new” Station 32, at the same location as the “old” station, on Old Canoe Creed Road near the current Turnpike interchange, is the first of three new stations planned within the next three years, City of St. Cloud officials say.
Mayor Chris Robertson, along with City Council members Jennifer Paul, Kolby Urban, and Ken Gilbert, City Manager Veronica Miller and Fire Chief Jason Miller placed their ceremonial shovels into a sand pile and flung dirt to kick of construction of the new station.
"This new facility will help to meet the needs of our growing community," said Robertson. "With the recent opening of new Station 34 and improvements to the Fire Training Facility, as well as future planned stations, this shows the City Council's dedication to supporting public safety."
Arnco Construction is the primary contractor for the $12.5 million project. Station 32 was relocated to a temporary facility on Nolte Road in Stevens Plantation to allow for demolition of the old Station 32 and reconstruction on an expanded site.
The new Station 32 will initially be staffed by 10 firefighter/EMS professionals, an engine, rescue, and the department's new tower truck. The new station will have four bays for fire rescue equipment, as well as additional space for future capabilities. Station 32 serves the southwest corner of the City of St. Cloud and is the closet station in the vicinity for response to Florida’s Turnpike.
Property for the fire facility was donated many years ago by the residents of next-door Tika Village, and the new station will have direct access to the community from Station 32 when completed within the next 14 months.
"I began my career as a firefighter at the old Station 32," said Chief Miller. "Seeing the progress we have made to improve this facility to be a better home for the current generation of firefighters and of course for providing improved service to residents, is just amazing."
New Fire Station 34 on Nora Tyson Road east of Narcoosee Road opened last July, and two more St. Cloud fire stations will be built within the next three years. Station 35 will serve the Tohoqua community on Neptune Road, and Station 36 will serve the wave of new residential construction in the northeast section of the city, generally between Nova Road and Narcoossee Road.
The city also recently opened a 7,000 square foot multi-purpose building at the joint training facility on Cord Avenue. In addition to first responder in-house training, the new facility will host area law enforcement training courses conducted by Advanced Police Concepts from Alachua County.
