Crime & Safety

New Fire Station on Cross Creek Boulevard to Open in Februrary

Fire Station No. 22 will house at least 12 firefighters and help to reduce response time, official says.

 

A strong symbol of New Tampa's growth is a few months from completion.

Tampa Fire Rescue Station No. 22 is slated to open in mid-February 2012. Situated on the east side of Cross Creek Boulevard, the $1.6 million, 8,200-square-foot facility will house at least 12 firefighters. Although Fire Station No. 21 is only 2.3 miles to the west on Cross Creek Boulevard, according to Google Maps, so many subdivisions and retail shops have popped up in the northern end of New Tampa over the years.

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“Our response times are very good as they are,” Tampa Fire Rescue Capt. Lonnie Benniefield said. “But you are talking about time, which is always of the essence (in emergency situations). Anytime you better that time, it’s always a good thing.”

But one Cross Creek Boulevard business owner, who didn't want his name used, said he doubts there will be much for the station to do at first. 

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"It tells me they were planning for a big boom that didn't happen," he said of the firehouse's construction. "Of course it is needed. There are a lot of houses but not a lot of people in them at the moment (because of foreclosures)."

Ground broke on Station No. 22 back in March. Benniefield said the facility will feature a number of green elements, including a solar-powered water heater, environmentally friendly building materials and landscaping composed of native plants.

The three-bay station was paid for with federal grant money.


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