Minneola council, management team, and staff came together on Monday morning, January 4, to celebrate the official groundbreaking of its newest project, “A NEW FIREHOUSE”. Councilmember Pam Serviss thanked everyone who attended the event and concluded with “Let’s Throw Some Dirt!”.
Minneola City Manager Mark Johnson described the new firehouse as “long-awaited”. He noted that a decade ago, the city identified its need for a more centralized fire station as the city grew. Through the efforts of the city council, the management team, staff and grants, the city saved for the needed firehouse. The cost of the building is estimated at $4.5 million.
Johnson proudly announced that the city was able to go forward with the project without obtaining loans or bonds which will eliminate the need to raise taxes, increase fees or saddle future generations with debt.
In 2021, Strollo Architects completed architectural and engineering services for the design of the new fire department to be co-located adjacent to Minneola City Hall, located at 800 N. US Hwy 27.
The 12,000 sq feet building has approximately 6,000 sq feet of air-conditioned space. It will house up to 4 fire engines or other emergency vehicles. It’s about twice the size of the existing firehouse, located at 811 S. Galena Ave. Minneola.
According to Strollo Architects, the building plan includes:
• 2 drive-through apparatus bays with direct source exhaust capture system
• 4 unisex bathrooms with showers
• Dayroom
• Kitchen
• 7 individual sleeping rooms
• Reception area
• 5 administrative offices
• Emergency Operation Center/training room for 20 workstations
• Data/communication design
• Exercise room
• Room for compressor/cascade system
• Decontamination area
Minneola Fire Chief Jan Otero said the fire department was patiently awaiting the new firehouse for a long time. He says the firehouse will benefit the community’s health, safety and well-being as well as reduce response time and outcomes of critical emergencies. It will also help maintain ISO Fire Department Ratings. (The system ISO uses to determine the rating of a fire department is called the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule — a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the best score).
Marbek Construction will oversee the project to completion. If everything goes according to plan, the building will be completed in approximately 14 months.
Plans for the existing Fire Station are still being considered.
A New Fire House Is Coming to Minneola in early 2023!
