ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — St. Petersburg has broken ground on a new $8.5 million fire station to service the northwest side of the city, which will allow firefighters to move out of cramped conditions at a former 1950s house they have been working out of for nearly a decade.
What You Need To Know
St. Petersburg has broken ground on a new $8.5 million Fire Station No. 2 to service the northwest side of the city
The new station will replace a cramped 1950s house firefighters have been working out of for nearly a decade
Firefighters will be able to control the traffic light at 66th St. N., which will improve response times
The new Fire Station No. 2 is expected to open in the spring of 2027
“We are very excited,” said District Chief Michael Lewis, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue. “This is going to be a state-of-the-art facility.”
The new 8,700-square-foot Fire Station No. 2 will have two bays, a decontamination room, fitness room, storage for equipment, individual cubes and restroom showers for firefighters, according to Chief Lewis.
“All of that will provide them the amenities and space that they need for 24-hour service to the community,” he said. “It’s a showing of how we’re going to invest in the community.”
The firefighters have been working out of a 1,478-square-foot house built in 1950 with one bathroom and a small kitchen. One area of the house hosts the dining room, living room, treadmill and office space. The laundry, bunker gear, and tool storage has been squeezed into a small utility room next to the hot water tank and air handler.
Firefighters have been working out of a 1,478-square-foot house built in 1950. (Spectrum News/Josh Rojas)
“It is cramped, especially compared to most of our other stations. It’s not what our crews are normally used to,” said Lewis. “The only shower that we have at the station, unfortunately, means that after a fire or major incident, our crews have to go delayed for an extended period so that all three crew members can shower.”
Lewis said the firefighters have made the best of the conditions and continue to have great response times.
“We have the same crews that have been here for roughly 8-to-10 years. Most of them like the area, they like the community that they serve,” he said. “They’ve stayed at the station despite not having the space, the gym facility.”
The new fire station will be located at 6560 26th Ave. N., about five blocks south of the current facility. Holiday Park Neighborhood Association President Amy Possidente said residents are looking forward to having the firefighters live in their community.
“We’re excited to have them as actual neighbors here in Holiday Park, even though they have been close,” she said. “I think it’s going to be quicker and easier for them to respond, which is only better for our residents.”
Lewis said their response time will improve at the new location because they won’t have to make U-turns when responding to calls north of the station and firefighters will be able to control the traffic light at a busy intersection.
“We’re going to be able to control the light at 26th Avenue when we have an emergency response. We’ll be able to turn right onto 66th Street and head north,” he said. “It will actually improve our times north, south, east and west.”
The new fire station is expected to open in the spring of 2027.
“Our service will be improved,” said Lewis. “We’re going to be ready for the next several decades to be able to respond to this community.”
The official ground breaking with Mayor Kenneth Welch and Fire Chief Keith Watts is scheduled for Wednesday.