New fire station grand opening in Mecca

A grand opening was scheduled for Tuesday for a fire station in Mecca.

The 12,411-square-foot station at 91-350 66th Ave. replaces the 3,058-square-foot station, built in 1952, at 91-100 Fourth St., according to Supervisor John Benoit’s office.

The $5.1 million station, which includes three apparatus bays and an eight-bed dormitory, a kitchen, training and exercise room, trash enclosures, fuel tanks and an emergency generator, was designed to reduce response times
and energy costs.

Construction started in January 2011 and the project was 90 percent funded by county redevelopment funds and the rest by development impact fees.

“The citizens of Mecca need this replacement fire station for their community,” fire Chief John Hawkins said.

“The firefighters also need a station that provides them with adequate room to train, maintain their equipment, rest and respond to the needs of the community. We are very pleased to be dedicating this beautiful, new and functional fire station and for continuing to enhance our service to the public.”

Benoit and Hawkins were expected to attend the 10 a.m. grand opening.