The Jefferson Fire Protection District officially broke ground Monday on a new fire station in Mt. Vernon, moving forward with a construction project approved by voters earlier this year. Voters approved an $8.9 million bond issue in March to finance construction of the new facility. The referendum passed with 1,349 votes in favor and 1,004 opposed.
The new station will be constructed at the intersection of Ninth and Wescott streets, northeast of the district’s existing Station 1 on the south side of Mt. Vernon. District officials said the location will allow firefighters to remain centrally positioned within the department’s 246-square-mile service area.
The project will replace a building that is more than 80 years old and was not originally designed to serve as a fire station. Fire officials have cited concerns about limited space for modern firefighting equipment, along with safety issues associated with the aging structure.
District officials previously considered renovating the existing building but determined that surrounding streets and a major sewer line would restrict expansion. They also estimated that bringing the building up to current safety and construction standards would cost more than building a new station.
During the referendum campaign, officials estimated the bond issue would cost the owner of a home valued at $100,000 approximately $5 per month.
Monday’s groundbreaking marks the beginning of construction on the new facility, which will replace the district’s longtime Station 1.