KANSAS CITY, MO — The City of Kansas City, Missouri, has officially opened Northland Fire Station 15, a 12,000-square-foot facility built to lift standards of public safety in the region to higher heights.

The new station has drive-through bays to accommodate a pumper truck, ambulance and a future fire truck as needed. It also has living quarters for two captains and 10 firefighters. There are showers, bathrooms, a kitchen, fitness area, watch room and a variety of additional support areas, such as a decontamination space, lockers and an industrial laundry space.

Located on the north side of NE Cookingham Drive, just east of the Interstate 435 interchange with Missouri Highway 291, this station has a lobby, public restrooms, a public patio and visitor parking. It took years to reach this point, but First District Councilwoman Heather Hall said she stayed the course and kept emphasizing that she was determined to deliver “progress as promised.”

“I am grateful for the community support surrounding this much-needed fire station in the northeast corner of District 1,” Hall said. “It will help reduce response times and drive down homeowner insurance rates for the Northland.”

Funding for the $6-million project included $2.2 million from the Shoal Creek TIF along with money from the Fire Safety Sales Tax that voters approved in August 2001. The station sits on 7.3 acres donated to the city by Star Development Corporation President Tim Harris.

City and KCFD leaders gave thanks to DRAW Architecture + Urban Design, the architectural design firm for the project, and McCownGordon Construction as the project’s construction manager.

There are 34 existing fire stations in KCMO, but this one will likely set a benchmark for future facilities.

“When KCFD did its first systematic deployment analysis in 2003, we projected the need for a station in this area,” interim KCFD Chief Donna Maize said. “Increasing growth made it imperative that we find a way to accomplish that objective. Diligent work by Councilwoman Hall and a generous contribution of land by a private donor allow us today to meet that need and open this, the first new station in nearly a decade.”