A Lafayette fire station will be closed in March ahead of demolition and construction of a new station.
Officials say fire station #3 located at 429 Cooper Drive, in the Truman neighborhood, will be closed starting Monday, March 2, 2020 for demolition. A new station is set to be constructed.
The decision to demolish the current facility was due to several factors. According to LFD, the original station was built to accommodate a small team of firefighters in 1978.
They say the facility now needs to accommodate the amount of personnel, living quarters for female firefighters, and apparatus required to deliver the service needed within that district in 2020 and beyond.
The fire station was also in need of major repairs which were not cost effective considering the amount of structural concerns. It was determined that a new facility would best serve the firefighters and citizens of Lafayette.
As a result of the closing, firefighters will be transitioning out of the station over the weekend.
The fire department says that the engine company will be relocated to fire station #11, 1115 Ambassador Caffery. During construction of the new facility, the engine company will be responding from fire station #11 to calls for service in that response area.
The fire department says they have taken the necessary precautions to ensure service is not interrupted and response times remain efficient.
Calls for service on the outer perimeter of that response area will be assisted by engine companies within the district. LFD says that the public should not be concerned about fire protection.
The construction is budgeted at $1.5 million dollars and expected to take a least a year to build. The new facility will be 13,000 square feet.
Final plans not complete and an exact start date has not been determined.
Layout of the station is expected to provide better access to both Cooper Drive and Benoit Falgout Road and is said to allow for expansion of service in the area with its close proximity to the interstate.
“It’s not too often we are able to build new fire stations, but we are thankful for the support of the Lafayette Consolidated Government’s administration and council,” states Fire Chief Robert Benoit. Chief Benoit continues’ “the new station will improve service for the residents in City Council District 1, provide adequate living arrangements for all firefighters, and benefit public safety in Lafayette as a whole.”
