St. Pete Beach residents will see a brand‑new fire station rise on Pass‑a‑Grille Way after a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for Sept. 16. The $10.5 million project replaces the aging Station 22, which suffered extensive flood damage during Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.
Why a new station is needed
Built in 1974, the original station could not meet modern hurricane‑resistance standards. A 2011 structural analysis warned that the building could not withstand winds of 130 mph, and Hurricane Irma in 2017 confirmed the vulnerability when a generator failure left the station uninhabitable for weeks. The 2024 storms flooded the building with three to four feet of water, prompting city officials to accelerate the replacement plan.
Design focused on safety and community
Sweet Sparkman Architecture & Interiors has drawn a two‑story, pale‑blue and white structure that resembles a large coastal home rather than a traditional firehouse. Broad porches, columns, and pitched gabled roofs help the building blend into the Pass‑a‑Grille neighborhood, a priority for Fire Chief Adam Poirrier.
“We really wanted to fit in with the fabric of the community,” Poirrier said. “When people drive past, they may mistake it for a house. It should really blend in with the community it’s serving.”
Resilient features for future storms
The new station sits in a FEMA Coastal A flood zone, but its living quarters will be raised above the floodplain. Engineers have addressed foundation design and soil‑scour concerns identified during early planning. The building will also separate potentially contaminated equipment areas from sleeping quarters, include a balcony and rooftop space for firefighters on 24‑hour shifts, and meet modern fire‑safety codes with new alarms, sprinklers, an emergency generator, and separate ventilation for hazardous materials.
Funding and timeline
The city’s original estimate of $4 million grew to $10.5 million due to inflation, delays, and expanded design requirements. More than $6.5 million in state appropriations will cover a large portion of the cost, and expected insurance proceeds from the damaged old station will further reduce the taxpayers’ burden.
Construction is slated to take roughly 14½ months, putting firefighters back into a permanent home by early 2028. Until then, the crew operates out of a double‑wide trailer, a far cry from the new facility but a testament to their dedication.
Community impact
Station 22 serves the Belle Vista, Vina Del Mar, Don CeSar Place, and historic Pass‑a‑Grille neighborhoods, as well as the broader south end of Pinellas County. By ensuring the station remains operational during hurricanes, the city safeguards rapid emergency response for residents and visitors alike.
“The goal is that if a hurricane strikes again, we can get our firefighters right back into that station as soon as it passes and continue to serve the community,” Poirrier said. “It’s a source of pride to provide a safe, resilient home for our firefighters and the people they protect.”
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
