February 28, 2025

City's newest fire station set to be ready by Aug. 1

Work is about 50 percent to 60 percent complete on the future replacement Fire Station No. 2, with the project on schedule to be finished by Aug. 1, according to information provided Wednesday by city officials.

Ground was broken Aug. 26, 2024, to build a significantly larger, two-story structure at a cost of $11.4 million.

The future replacement fire station is being built at the northwest corner of West Raleigh Boulevard and South Grace Street, at the far northeastern edge of the Little Raleigh area and just southwest of the downtown area.

Mayor Sandy Roberson said that the time had come for the former fire station to be replaced.

“I remember as a child when they built that thing,” Roberson said.

Roberson also emphasized that the Rocky Mount Fire Department has long maintained international accreditation status, which means the department is recognized for having high standards.

“And to be able to provide the equipment and be able to provide the facilities for our fire department, to be able to excel in their service to our area, is just something that I think we are proud of,” Roberson said.

Roberson said that the City Council saw an opportunity to try to help “spark a little redevelopment in that area.”

Roberson continued Wednesday to emphasize the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tar River Region, which has the Lucy Ann Boddie Brewer Unit near the future replacement fire station, also had announced plans to transform the nearby former N.C. Guard Armory into a state-of-the-art location.

The new facility will be used to prepare teens to be developed for the workforce and to focus on what their needs are to become future local leaders.

The Boys & Girls Clubs also have stated intentions to transform the former Rocky Mount baseball stadium off South Howell Street just north of the former armory to be part of a campus along with the building.

Roberson noted Wednesday that construction of the future replacement fire station was a few years behind schedule from when he and fellow city officials hoped would be the start time for the then-proposed project.

He said that the project was affected by the safety lockdowns amid the coronavirus pandemic and the increase in the cost of building materials.

“So, it’s good to see it finally get going and to get to the level that it’s at now,” he said.