The architect for the project was Ted Galante, from The Galante Architecture Studio in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He thinks the city should be very proud that it was able to preserve at least some of the 1902 building.

"Reflecting and really stating that we've had some great years in Davenort, and at the same time building a new , modern facility, a forward-looking facility that says to the children of Davenport our best years are ahead of us."

A key feature of the "new" Central Station is drive through bays - fire trucks can now enter on 3rd Street and leave on 4th Street or Scott which will improve safety. It's also designed to shorten "turnout time," or how long it takes firefighters to get ready, get in their trucks, and leave.

Chief Charles Hood said the new building will have an immediate impact.

The fire station has seen an increase in calls in recent years, going from 11,287 in 2014 to just under 12,000 in 2015.

"We are so excited to celebrate the opening of Fire Station 32," Councilman Ron Nirenberg said. "Our top priority is always the safety and security of our residents and this new station will ensure improved services for our community members."

The firefighter was taken to the trauma center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton, where he was being treated late Monday. Bashir and Coltre said it appears he will make a full recovery.

Coltre said early reports are that Engine 9 was responding to a fire call in the West Ward while already on the road when the incident occurred.

He said Engine 9 operates a "closed cab" piece of apparatus, with doors that obviously should securely lock and it appears like a freak accident, Coltre said.

It was unknown if the firefighter was wearing a seatbelt at the time, officials said, saying the incident was under investigation.

Since 1916, however, the firehouse has had difficulty fitting the ever-increasing size of truck models into the building. Its present engine was built in 1991, and any newer vehicle would probably not be able to enter or leave the building at all.

Now, after years of discussions and proposals, architect Eric Leighton, project manager for the prestigious Center City architectural firm Cecil Baker, said meetings about the design of the new facility began last week. His firm has a long record of accomplishment of adaptive reuse and creative renovation.

The project is under the jurisdiction of the City of Philadelphia Department of Public Properties, which awarded Baker the project, according to Thomas McDade, chief of staff.

Not to be intimidated by the fact that their project centers on “the oldest working fire house in the city,” Baker must design a companion building that will allow today’s large engines to enter and leave the building with ease. Their biggest challenge will be designing a 21st century building that complements the existing fire station without trying to copy it.

There are a number of possible solutions, including designing a reflective surface that mirrors the existing building that is being expanded. This was done successfully in the Friends Meeting Center, built in 1974 at 15th and Cherry Street. The modern building was designed by the architectural firm Cope & Lippincott. It is completely covered with a reflective facade and becomes almost invisible to passersby who see a refection of the adjacent, original Central Friends Meetinghouse, built in 1854, rather than the sleek, boxy, newer building.

In a similar vein, the existing 122-year-old firehouse that needs to be expanded cannot be altered. Last year the Philadelphia Historical Society voted to add the firehouse to the list of 23,000 historically recognized buildings in the city. This means, according to Emily Cooperman, a Historical Commission member and a Chestnut Hill resident, that any change to the building must be approved by the commission.

“If there is any chance of altering the facade to link the buildings, any alteration to the facade would have to be approved by the commission,” Cooperman said.

The addition will likely be located to the west of existing building, where a police station was once linked to the present firehouse by an arch. The police station was torn down 1954 along with the arch. The site is now a small grassy park with benches and a table.

One problem the Baker architects will face designing the new building is facilitating the quick access to the trucks for the fire fighters who will probably continue to use the existing facility as separate sleeping quarters and equipment storage. They will also use the original building’s kitchen and dining area.

No matter the complications, the existing building will be preserved. It is the oldest active firehouse in the city and a city landmark. It was designed in 1894 by John Windrim whose work includes the Franklin Institute. The design has been acclaimed as an example of Richardsonian Romanesque, a style of architecture named after architect Henry Hobson Richardson, who designed Trinity Church in Boston in 1872.