Construction begins today on the new Coles Fire Station in Manassas.
Located at 13712 Dumfries Road, Fire Station 6 will be built to replace the existing Coles Station, which has served the community since the 1940s – with the newest iteration of the station being built back in 1979.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the project, which will be a “21,400 square-foot station will house an engine, heavy rescue and tanker”, stated a release.
Design for the project began back in 2013, but ran into snags along the way in terms of design and location, as a historic cemetery was located along the site.
During the process the fire station also underwent structural changes, as in 2014 the Coles District Volunteer Fire Company merged with the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue
“Today’s the day we begin to make the next phase of making the mid-county area, and really all of Prince William County, a safer place for our residents and a safer place for our community,” said Nohe.
Nohe said that the modern building will be able to service more staff, better utilize equipment, and improve response times.
“This very site is strategically important to our fire and rescue mission,” said Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue Chief Kevin McGee.
During his remarks, Nohe also remarked on how significant it was for the community to support the building of the new fire station, in the wake of the events happening in Virginia and across the country.
“It’s a difficult time right now, to work in government frankly…we’re living in a time when a lot of people aren’t so sure what they want their relationship with their government to be…we live in a time when people aren’t sure what they want their relationship with their neighbors to be…[this station] is proof that people do want their government to be run well. They do want us to make investments in the community, we do love and respect all of the people – certainly our fire and rescue crews – but also our police officers, our adult detention center officials, and our 911 operators,” said Nohe.
The Coles station is expected to be complete by late 2018.
