The original station was built in the 1980s, and it was built for just two people. The benefit of the newer station is pretty obvious. It will add room for firefighters and other staff members.

There is also room for additional trucks.

Officials say the new station will allow crews to operate more efficiently, and it was not a burden to tax-payers.

The chief went on to say the station is also better-suited to accommodate both male and female firefighters.

That’s a significant upgrade from the original 1950s station -- Mesa’s oldest -- that had plumbing problems, was too cramped for modern emergency response vehicles and had other structural concerns, said Mesa Fire and Medical Department Chief Harry Beck.

“Fire trucks were a lot smaller then,” Smith said. “They weren’t as high profile, they didn’t have the same technology as we have now, so we literally were having a tough time trying to fit our trucks inside that station. The newer style gives us that accessibility.”

Mesa voters approved public safety bonds twice for this project: $4 million in November 2013 to pay for construction and about $1.7 million in 2008 to acquire the property, according to the city.