LB Breaks Ground for New Fire Station 9

After years of uncertainty surrounding the future of Fire Station 9, the City of Long Beach celebrated the groundbreaking of a brand-new fire station on August 27th. The new station, located at 4101 Long Beach Blvd. near the original location, will respond to emergencies in the areas of Los Cerritos, Bixby Knolls and California Heights.

“The redevelopment of Fire Station 9 has been a long time coming,” said Councilmember Al Austin. “The new station will ensure that our community continues to receive the highest level of fire protection and emergency response services.”

The journey to creating the new fire station has been fraught with challenges. The original Fire Station 9 was closed in 2019 due to persistent issues with mold, forcing the relocation of firefighters to a temporary facility.

From Closure to New Beginnings

The closure of the original Fire Station 9 in 2019 followed a previous incident in 2017 when the station was temporarily closed also due to mold. The decision to close the station, which opened in 1939 after being reconstructed following the 1933 LB Earthquake, was ultimately necessary to safeguard the health of the firefighters who had reported experiencing health issues related to the mold.

With the old station deemed beyond reasonable repair, the City Council embarked on a multi-year effort to determine its future. Initial attempts to appeal to interest from groups, such as the Long Beach Unified School District, to transform the land for community purposes were unsuccessful and so was a subsequent attempt to sell the land through bidding.

The city equally had considered demolishing the building altogether but held off on demolition until they found options related to reusing the building.

Undeterred, the city hired a real estate broker to explore potential sale options for the property and succeeded when the Long Beach City Council approved a contract.

The original Fire Station 9 building, while no longer serving as a fire station, has not been forgotten. Recognizing its architectural significance, the city designated the building as historic. It was later sold to Gemmae Bake Shop, a Long Beach bakery, for $750,000.

The New Fire Station 9

The two-story, 12,779-square-foot facility has various features to enhance operational efficiency and community engagement.

Key features of the new Fire Station 9 include:

Dedicated traffic signal at the intersection of Long Beach Boulevard and E. Randolph Place to streamline emergency responses and alleviate traffic congestion.

Housing for eight firefighters and five fire trucks.

A “pull-through” design that allows fire trucks to enter and exit the station from the front and back.

Dedicated areas for community training sessions, fostering community engagement.

Rooftop solar panels and energy-efficient thermoregulation and lighting.

A community hub providing a welcoming space for residents to connect with firefighters, participate in safety education programs and foster a sense of community.

Project Timeline and Funding

As of August 2024, the Fire Station 9 project is well underway, with an anticipated completion date of early 2026. Construction officially began in June 2024, following the completion of preliminary work, including site surveys, utility location and the installation of temporary facilities. Abatement work within the existing structure commenced in early July 2024.

The project is expected to adhere to the following timeline, barring unforeseen circumstances:

• August 2024: Abatement and Demolition Milestone
• June 2025: Building Shell & Core Milestone
• October 2025: On-Site Sitework Improvements Milestone
• October 2025: Off-Site Improvements Milestone
• November 2025: Building Finishes Milestone
• Early 2026: Complete Construction

The estimated Fire Station 9 project cost is $31 million, encompassing both land acquisition and construction costs. The majority of the funding, approximately $18 million, is allocated for construction and will be sourced from Measure A funds, a voter-approved sales tax measure dedicated to improving essential city services, including public safety. The remaining project costs will be covered by a combination of future Measure A bonds ($22 million) and General Capital funds ($512,150).

As construction progresses on schedule, the community eagerly awaits the station’s completion, anticipating a safer and more secure future for all.

For any inquiries or further information, please contact Jose Cervantes at JoseC.Press@pm.me