Greenville City celebrated the opening of its newest fire‑house on Sept. 29, a $10.4 million project that replaces a decades‑old station and brings state‑of‑the‑art facilities to downtown residents and workers.
Modern design for a vital public‑safety mission
Located at 423 E. Park Ave., the 12,700‑square‑foot Fire Station 4 features two full‑size fire‑truck bays, dedicated equipment rooms, decontamination areas and medical‑supply storage. The building also includes bunk rooms, living spaces, a fitness center and wellness amenities for the thirty firefighters who will call the station home.
“What we built here is more than a fire station,” said Fire Chief Brian Horton. “For the firefighters and officers who will serve here, it’s their second home – a place where they will train, prepare, share meals, rest between calls and respond at a moment’s notice when our community needs them.”
Why the new station matters
The former Stone Avenue station, erected in 1950, had reached the end of its useful life. Situated in a floodplain, it suffered damage during Hurricane Helene in September 2024 and could no longer meet the demands of a growing downtown.
City Manager Shannon Lavrin explained that the old facility’s limitations threatened reliable emergency response. By moving to a purpose‑built site on a 1.6‑acre city‑owned parcel, the department can now cover more than five square miles, including downtown, the North Main area and neighborhoods up to North Pleasantburg Drive.
City Councilmember Ken Gibson highlighted the station’s impact on residents: “Station 4 serves nearly 8,000 addresses across this part of Greenville. Those are homes, workplaces and places where people gather. By keeping this station in their neighborhood, we have kept our crews close to the community that depends on them.”
Funding and construction
Construction began in the summer of 2025 and took 14 months to complete. The project cost $8.8 million to build and $1.6 million for planning and design. In April 2025, the Greenville City Council approved a general‑obligation bond of up to $10 million to help finance the effort.
The design was handled by ADW Architects, while Hogan Construction Group served as the general contractor. This marks the fourth fire station the city has built in the past twenty years, reflecting Mayor Knox White’s commitment to upgrading essential service facilities for public safety.
Looking ahead
With the new station operational, the department is better positioned to respond quickly to emergencies, protect lives and property, and maintain the safety standards that Greenville residents expect. The upgraded amenities also support firefighter health and readiness, reinforcing the city’s broader goal of a resilient, well‑served community.
Original reporting: Greenville Journal — read the source article.
