Dozens of people gathered Monday along Old State Road in Hambden Township as crews broke ground on a new $8.75 million fire station that officials say will not raise local taxes. The 18,000-square-foot building is set to roughly double the department’s space, with apparatus bays, living quarters, and a community room that can also serve as a polling place. Leaders say they hope to move into the new station in the summer of 2027.
How the Project Is Being Paid For
According to the Hambden Fire Department, the construction budget sits at $8.75 million, built from a $6.75 million USDA Rural Development Community Facilities award in April 2024 and a $2.0 million state grant later that year. Department officials say that the combination covers the full building cost, so residents will not face a new local tax levy.
Where It Will Sit and What It Includes
Project listings and bid records place the site at 9725 Old State Road in Chardon and show work entering the construction phase in late April 2026, according to ConstructConnect. Those documents describe a multi-building apparatus complex with multiple bays, decontamination spaces, and dormitory areas designed to support round-the-clock staffing.
Why the Department Says It Needs a New Station
Assistant Chief Dave Peterson told News 5 Cleveland the current building "was not built as a fire station," noting it began life as an auto body shop and leaves crews cramped with movable lockers and only one shower. Chief Scott Hildenbrand called the upgrade a public-safety and comfort improvement and said the grants make it possible to staff a modern facility 24/7 without asking taxpayers for more money.
Timeline and Public Access
Hambden’s project updates show the department finalized the property purchase at 9725 Old State Road in March and selected Millstone Management Group as the general contractor; USDA approvals moved the project into the construction phase. The department’s site also notes a groundbreaking ceremony on May 4 and lists monthly public informational meetings for residents who want updates.
What It Means for Residents
The new community room will let two township precincts vote inside Hambden for the first time, simplifying polling logistics for many residents, according to News 5 Cleveland. Alongside that, larger bays and improved living and decontamination space are the concrete payoffs officials are pointing to as construction gets underway.
