Long awaited southwest Augusta fire station moves forward

AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF) – With the turn of a shovel, Augusta leaders symbolically starting construction of Fire Station 3 at Gordon Highway and Powell Road.

“This is the fastest growing area in Augusta, and this really embodies the city’s commitment to providing that protection,” said Fire Chief Antonio Burden.

With new stores about to open, and new housing going up, you see evidence of the explosive growth in the area. This has had residents calling for better fire protection for years.

“We have thousands of people coming in here, this neighborhood…just moving from everywhere, coming here and we don’t have enough safety as far as the Fire Department goes,” said Maureen Ruiz.

Plans for the Fire Station have been on the drawing board for nearly a decade, making getting it under construction a priority for commissioners as the growth surged.

“It’s an exploding area, fastest growing area, and you can’t beat the location. I mean you got the subdivisions along Gordon Highway that have been waiting for this,” said Commissioner Catherine Smith McKnight.

“It should have been built some time ago, so we’re really doing what we said we would do years ago so we’re just getting it done,” said Commissioner Bobby Williams.

But even as city leaders break ground, the final price tag is still not known because the city is going out for proposals for construction.

“Because we are still in the process of having an RFP process, it would probably be inappropriate for me to say a price,” said Chief Burden.

But it will be a price the city will pay to provide better fire protection for this area.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.