Architects from The Miller/Hull Partnership tell us that the new Greenwood Fire Station 21 is deep into the design stage after community meetings a few months ago. Over the next few months, the project will have several Design Commission meetings, City Council review and another open house for the community late this fall. The architects expect it to be ready for contractor bids next summer.
The new station will reportedly be two stories. The city also bought a piece of land directy east of the current building for a bigger footprint.
Besides one fire engine, Station 21 also houses the Fire Department’s Multiple Casualty Unit. The building is being revamped because it’s too small to accommodate modern fire fighting equipment and required staffing levels. Anyone who’s taken a tour of the station knows that the Defenders of Greenwood have one small kitchen/living room, plus a small sleeping area with bathroom. It’s okay, but certainly not spacious.
The temporary Station 21 will be five blocks down in what is now a mostly empty lot on the corner of Greenwood and NW 68th St., across the street from the new Fini condos. Firefighter Mike tells us they’ll be housed in “tents and trailers” for about a year during construction.
Check out what Station 21 looked like circa 1916. As soon as the architects have a set of preliminary drawings ready, we’ll post them.
