Nearly five years after planning began, Davenport has dedicated the remodeled and expanded central fire station. City officials held a ribbon cutting Tuesday morning to celebrate the completion of the 15 million dollar project. Fire Chief Lynn Washburn says the old station along 4th Street downtown first opened in 1902.
"It provided a great home base to serve for 114 years but it was time to bring new life and growth to this building so it can serve for the next 100 years."
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.