Work has officially kicked off at 680 Sunbury Road, where the city's latest fire station, Fire Station 305, is being developed. Aimed at bolstering emergency services for the growing east side population, Delaware's most recent public safety effort involves repurposing a former furniture warehouse into a 31,089-square-foot facility. The space will include five apparatus bays, administrative offices for the Fire Department, and a training classroom, which will also double as a meeting space for City Council and committee gatherings. Construction is slated for completion in July 2027, per an announcement from the City of Delaware.
"This project reflects thoughtful planning and responsible stewardship of public resources," City Manager Paul Brake shared in the statement released by the city. The decision to transform an existing building into Fire Station 305 is a response to not only improve emergency services but also provide the growing community with a cost-conscious solution that offers substantial returns to residents. The construction of Station 305 is indicative of Delaware's longer-term planning to keep pace with its expansion and the increased demand for fire and EMS services on the city's east side.
The necessity for Fire Station 305 became apparent as the City of Delaware evolved and the response times on the east side started to lag, often surpassing the target six-minute total response time. The city's original fire station, Fire Station 301, located on Liberty Street, has been serving since 1972, but the past few decades of growth have stretched the limits of the system. As a result, additional stations were established, yet the need for east side coverage persisted. "Having a fire station on the east side of the city is critical to meeting our response time goals and ensuring residents receive timely emergency care," Fire Chief Tim Pyle remarked via the City of Delaware website, highlighting the integral nature of the new facility.
