Plans are now underway for the construction of a new fire station in Albuquerque that will go up on a 6-acre site on the growing southwest side of the city.
Long discussed, the station will be built near the intersection of Blake Road SW and 98th Street SW in an area that within the last decade or so has seen significant new residential and some retail construction.
The general area also takes in the Rudolfo Anaya Elementary School at 2800 Vermejo Park SW, which was opened in 2009.
While funding for what is designated as Station Number 23 has been secured, city officials have said that they hope to receive additional support from the State of New Mexico to the tune of $10 million to complete a larger public safety complex at the site.
The Fire Rescue department’s other stations are strategically located throughout the city, with a stated goal of responding to calls anywhere in 4 minutes or less.
Planning for the construction of the new station is currently underway, with the actual work on the facility expected to begin by late summer.
By Garry Boulard