Central Fire Station

Community Investment: $20 million
Status: Near completion (Opens October 6, 2013)

Address: 713 1st Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids

Description: The Fire Department’s new Central Fire Station will be located at 713 1st Avenue SE. The Central Fire Station is scheduled for completion in mid-September with a grand opening for the public planned during Fire Prevention Week, October 6-12, 2013. When completed, the Central Fire Station will have an Engine Company, Truck Company, Rescue Company and Battalion Chiefs that will respond to emergency incidents. Traffic preemption devices will be installed to minimize traffic disruption and provide safer response from the fire station. In addition to shift firefighters, the Fire Department’s administrative offices, including the Fire Marshal’s Office, will be located at the Central Fire Station. There will be a City Emergency Operations Center at the fire station as well. The new fire station will be 67,140 square feet and will utilize underground parking. The building is being designed to embrace sustainability with the goal to achieve LEED Platinum certification, which has been achieved by only a few fire stations across the nation. The Central Fire Station is an example of responsible growth, building only what is needed and where it is needed to serve the community. The ready access to the interstate highway and First Avenue will allow efficient response to all areas of the City. The community will find that the Central Fire Station embraces the history and image of the original Central Fire Station (formerly Science Station). The project is funded by $15 million from FEMA repair funds and $5 million from a state I-JOBS grant. The overall project budget totals $20 million.