The Irving Fire Department is getting closer to breaking ground on the new energy-efficient and environmentally friendly Fire Station No. 4. The city is in the process of looking for a contractor, and construction is expected to begin in May.
The station will sit on 1.9 acres at 800 Metker Street near Toler Lane. Fire Station No. 4 will replace the existing Station No. 4 at 3303 N. MacArthur Blvd.
The station was designed around a Hill Country theme, featuring Austin stone, cedar trim and a metal roof. Building designs were done in accordance with the U.S. Green Building Council requirements to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. Landscape designers worked to preserve the trees and plant life already on the property. The Fire Department chose this site to help reduce response times and better serve the community.
“Irving saw about an 8 percent population growth last year. If the city is growing, so should our emergency services,” said Mayor Rick Stopfer.
The site for Fire Station No. 4 once belonged to the Toler family. Since 1870, several generations of the family have lived on the land. To honor the Toler homestead, the Fire Department chose to designate an area in the day room of the station to the Toler family’s history.
“Irving has a fascinating past. As we look toward the future, it’s important we preserve the history and heritage that got us where we are today,” said City Manager Chris Hillman.
The more than 8,000-square-foot station will house four firefighters, a battalion chief, one pumper truck and one ambulance. The Fire Department hopes to get the station up and running by fall 2020.
