Charging Forward: Breaking Ground on Station 4 at Coronado Park
New modern station will replace firehouse built in 1961.
Today, the City of Albuquerque, Mayor Tim Keller, and Fire Chief Emily Jaramillo hosted a ceremony to celebrate the groundbreaking of Fire Station 4 at Coronado Park. The $13 million, three-bay station, with a 12-14 month build time, will replace the current station built in 1961. The old station sits just south of Coronado Park. Funding was secured from multiple sources including GO Bonds, and State Capital Outlay.
$13.225 million dollar project
$8.0 million dollars general obligation bonds
$5.225 million dollars State Capital Outlay
Station 4 is home to AFR’s Heavy Rescue Task Force. Engine 4, Rescue 4, Squad 2 and Battalion Chief 1 are housed there. Station 4 has a primary response area of 3.9 miles, but the Task Force is deployable city and even sometimes state wide. This is a diverse district that includes heavy commercial and industrial faculties, historic Old Town, the Museum and Sawmill districts, Interstates 25 and 40, and the neighborhoods of Wells Park and Martineztown.
“What we are doing here isn’t just construction, it’s restoration,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “It’s about reclaiming a historic Albuquerque Park and dedicating it to public service and safety for Albuquerque families and businesses. The restoration of Locomotive 2926 took vision and dedication and is the perfect model of success as we move forward with the construction of Fire Station 4, and the restoration of this park.”
AFR continues to modernize old stations and build new ones to serve the growing city. The brand-new Station 23 just opened in southwest Albuquerque. Station 12, is expected to be completed in December. Today's groundbreaking was celebrated with a water cannon salute and unity spray, all commenced with the striking of Locomotive 2926's ceremonial bell. Engine 2926 was retired to Coronado Park over 40 years ago. In 2000 it was rescued from the park and painstakingly restored.
“With today’s groundbreaking ceremony, we lay the foundation to rebuild Fire Station 4, which was originally constructed in 1961,” said Fire Chief Emily Jaramillo. “This site is centrally located and at the crossroads of Albuquerque making it perfectly located for a task force that responds city wide. The new station will consolidate resources and improve service delivery for Station 4’s primary response area and special operations deployments.”
“When we come together to solve problems, we can make a meaningful difference on the issues that matter most,” said New Mexico House Speaker Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque). “Together, our city and state are strengthening infrastructure, improving public safety, and enhancing quality of life for the folks who call this neighborhood home.”