Middletown firefighters expected to get a Christmas present of 2 new firehouses

And by Christmas, two of four new firehouses, including headquarters on Yankee Road, are tentatively scheduled for occupancy.

After groundbreaking last September on headquarters and Station 82 on Dixie Highway near Atrium Medical Center, construction continued this summer and when completed all four of the city’s decades-old fire stations will be replaced. The projected cost for the construction of the four new stations is estimated to be $26.8 million.

“We are probably going to be moving in Christmas Eve through the first of year. So Merry Christmas to us,” Snively said. Total completion will happen by about Jan. 1 when trucks will start “running” from the new locations.

The foundations are poured underground plumbing work underway on the last two stations on Clinton Street and Breiel Boulevard and Central Avenue. Projected completion date of those stations is May or June.

“Optimistically by summer time next year we have migrated from all the existing sites to the new ones,” said Acting City Manager Nathan Cahall.

City and fire officials said building the four stations was needed to better serve the communities that have experienced population shifts and growth. The oldest station in the city is 70 years old.

“It will be a lot safer, a lot healthier environment and a lot more room for storage,” Snively said. He added all four will have tornado shelters, which is required by state law and fitness rooms.

Snively, who plans to retire after 30 plus years in mid June, said he is now in the process of ordering furnishing and appliances for the new stations.

“I am really enjoying it. I have a construction background ... I tinker around. I did my own addition on my house and I like building stuff. It has been exciting,” he said.

ESTIMATED COSTS OF BUILDING FOUR FIRE STATIONS

SOURCE: City of Middletown/App Architecture