Demolition begins on Station 81

Some of you may see major construction at Fire Station 81, located at 4980 City Center Boulevard. This marks the beginning stages of the Fire Station 81 Construction Project. Damaged by Hurricane Ian and plagued by severe space shortages and code compliance issues, the current facility will be replaced with a stronger, modern building, scheduled for completion by December 2026. Retrofitting the current building would be more costly than tearing it down and building a new one, given the building’s age and updated standards.

Firefighters and administration have relocated to temporary spaces while the $17.5 million rebuild, funded mostly by county surtax and fire district fees, gets underway. The new headquarters will meet updated standards and accommodate the department’s growth.