News Summary
Grand Rapids celebrated the grand opening of its new fire station on Kalamazoo Ave. SE, a significant investment of $8.1 million aimed at enhancing public safety. Station No. 12, built to improve emergency response times for the Third Ward community, was opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by city officials and state legislators. The facility features modern amenities designed for both firefighters and community engagement, marking a crucial commitment to public safety in the region.
Grand Rapids has unveiled its latest investment in public safety with the grand opening of a state-of-the-art fire station on Friday morning. Located at 4044 Kalamazoo Ave. SE on Kendall Street, the new facility is a significant addition to the Third Ward community and was built with a budget of $8.1 million, funded by a grant from the State of Michigan.
The new fire station, known as Station No. 12, spans 12,600 square feet and has been designed to serve as a model for sustainable infrastructure. City officials, including Mayor David LaGrand, City Manager Mark Washington, and Fire Chief Brad Brown, were in attendance for the event, alongside several state legislators, including Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks and State Representatives Kristian Grant, Phil Skaggs, John Fitzgerald, and David LaGrand. A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official opening.
The new facility aims to strengthen emergency response capabilities in the southeast neighborhoods of Grand Rapids. Previously, the Third Ward was served by only one fire station, which was the busiest in the city. Due to overburdened resources, this station struggled to meet response time goals, achieving them approximately 50% of the time. With the introduction of the new station, firefighters aim to reach emergency scenes within the target time of six-and-a-half minutes, a benchmark that is achieved in over 90% of the time in other areas of the city.
Equipped to enhance both response efficiency and community integration, the new fire station includes private living quarters and individual dorm rooms for firefighters, creating modern and comfortable working conditions. Other amenities feature a kitchen and dining area, fitness room, and community meeting areas. Drive-through apparatus bays with bi-fold glass doors allow for increased visibility and durability.
The construction of the state-of-the-art fire station concluded under budget at approximately $7.8 million. The remaining funds from the project will be allocated towards the construction of the city’s new Division Avenue fire station. Additionally, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been involved in funding staffing for the first three years of operations, ensuring adequate personnel to respond to emergencies.
The fire station will be staffed by 12 firefighters, allowing for a three-person engine crew to be on duty around the clock, enhancing safety for residents in the area. This development is particularly significant for the Third Ward, which has historically been underserved in terms of public safety resources.
The construction and opening of the new fire station symbolizes a long-term commitment to public safety and equitable investment across Grand Rapids. City officials emphasized the importance of this project in not just improving emergency response times but in actively enhancing community resources. Attendees were invited to tour the facility following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, highlighting the community’s engagement in this new chapter for public safety.
In sum, the Kendall Street Fire Station holds the distinction of being the first new fire station built in Grand Rapids in nearly 40 years, representing a significant milestone in the city’s ongoing efforts to provide robust and reliable public safety services to all residents.
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Additional Resources
- Grand Rapids Magazine: Kendall Street Fire Station Unveiling
- WOOD TV: New Fire Station in Grand Rapids
- MLive: Inside Grand Rapids’ New Fire Station
- FOX 17: New Kendall Street Fire Station Opens
- WZZM 13: First New Fire Station in 40 Years
- Wikipedia: Fire Station
- Google Search: Grand Rapids Fire Station
- Google Scholar: Grand Rapids Fire Station
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fire Station
- Google News: Grand Rapids Fire Station
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
