The Anniston City Council on Monday approved the construction of an approximately $1.7 million fire station on Alabama 21 at the site of the closed Marvin’s retail store. Construction is set to start in November on the facility, which will replace the Fire Department’s old station by the roundabout at McClellan.
The council awarded the project to Hurst Construction in Oxford as the lowest of eight submitted bids.
City Manager Brian Johnson said the city would not use any general fund money to pay for the fire station. Fire Chief Tony Taylor said the 9,800 square-foot station will be built parallel and just north of the old Marvin’s building.
The city in February purchased the Marvin’s building and eight acres around it for $350,000 in anticipation of building the new station there.
The new station will be a two-story, three-bay facility with living quarters and a 25-person classroom. Also, its location on the highway will allow firefighters to respond to calls in the area quicker.