Officials broke ground Friday on a new fire station in northeastern Forsyth County, one that will replace Fire Station 8, built in 1984.
Construction on the new building on Keith Bridge Road comes from a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) and impact fees, according to a press release from Forsyth County Spokeswoman Jodi Gardner.
The new station will be designed for 24-hour occupancy, something the old station was not designed for.
“In 1984, the modest, little fire station you see here today was completed, meant only to ‘house’ the firetruck out of the weather and have an occasional meeting,” said Forsyth County Fire Chief Danny Bowman.
“Fast forward to today, where nine fulltime firefighters – three per shift – operate from this location, having responded to 633 emergencies last year. This from a facility that was never meant to be occupied 24 hours a day.”
The replacement station is being constructed next to the old one, which will require the demolition of the old station before moving ahead with construction.
In the mean time, firefighters at Station 8 will relocate to, and respond from, Dawson County Fire Station 2 off Highway 53.
Ground was broken earlier this month on a new Fire Station 6 in South Forsyth. Both projects are expected to take between 12 and 14 months to complete.
The combined cost of the new fire stations is $5,633,554, with the construction being handled by D.A. Edwards and Company, Inc.
