davidc@ccr-mag.com
April 21, 2021
Avondale broke ground on a new fire station – the city’s fifth – at Van Buren Street and 127th Avenue.
Designed by Perlman Architects of Arizona, and constructed by Willmeng Construction, the $12.5 million fire station will open in February, 2022. When completed, the 17,000 square-foot Fire Station No. 175 will include three bays, office space and sleeping quarters, a kitchen/dining room, training room, exercise room, as well as a community room for public service outreach programs such as blood pressure checks, school programs and educational tours.
“With new housing permits on the rise, as well as economic development expansion, Avondale Fire-Medical has identified the need for an additional fire station to serve the city,” said Avondale City Manager, Charles Montoya. “As growth accelerates in the City, the Council is especially mindful of keeping ahead of public safety needs in the community.”
“This modern, strategically-located new fire station will continue to give the professionals of Avondale Fire-Medical department the leading edge in providing outstanding public safety to the residents and businesses in Avondale,” said Avondale Mayor, Kenn Weise.
Of the total project budget of $12.5 million, $8.5 million will be funded from accumulated savings in the General Fund and $4 million will be funded from accumulated fund balance in the Public Safety Sales Tax Fund. In September 2020, the City was awarded a $3 million Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant from the US Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) to hire 14 new firefighter positions. The grant period runs from March 2021 through March 2024.
“When I look at what has been programmed and approved, it’s progressive, modern and practical,” said James Murphy, Willmeng CEO. “It’s an honor to have the opportunity to build for first-responders and the City of Avondale.”
To learn more about Avondale Fire Station No. 175, contact the Avondale Local EDGE; an initiative of the Avondale Office of Economic Development. Follow Avondale EDGE at @AvondaleEDGE, visit the website, AvondaleLocalEDGE.com or call 623-333-1400.
Photo Caption: A small group of socially distanced project and City staff members gathered for a groundbreaking shared virtually on Facebook Live through Avondale EDGE.
About Willmeng Construction: Willmeng Construction, established in 1977, is a Phoenix-based commercial general contractor specializing in ground-up and tenant improvement projects for the public and private market sectors in Arizona. Willmeng stays true to building excellence and was awarded the 2020 RED Awards General Contractor of the Year. Willmeng is built on great relationships, a commitment to building a genuine place of purpose, and the reputation of positively impacting employees, clients and the community through volunteerism. For more information visit www.willmeng.com.
