New Fire Station Is Red – and Green

ST. PETERSBURG – The rebuilt Lake Maggiore Fire Station, at 4701 MLK Street South, will have a grand opening Tuesday morning for city leaders, the press and public.

Renovated and upgraded with funds from the Penny for Pinellas Program, Fire Station 8 looks radically different than the rundown firehouse it was when the work started in 2005.

Although the construction took six years, this new and improved fire station seems built to last well into the future, with many energy-efficient features that may become standard in future buildings.

"The old station was just outdated," said Fire Capt. Bernie Williams. Original flooring was a cause for concern, since it was built on pilings, next to Lake Maggiore. Water damage was a major problem.

Each for the city's fire stations has a Captain as its head and Lieutenants who take the reigns on shifts.

Williams runs Station Eight and is pleased with the results of the makeover.

"We are very excited about the new building," Williams said.

The new building has more windows than lights, making use of the sun's rays to illuminate rooms. The station will function almost solely on natural light. A cistern in back of the station stores rain water, which is used in the sprinkler system to keep the lawn lush.

The old station had a military feel, with an open room lined with cots as sleeping accommodations. One of the new features that has become a favorite among the firefighters is the amplified amount of privacy. Each person has his or her own room now.

Prior to the reconstruction of Station Eight, the building had no facilities for female firefighters. That is no longer the case.

Said Williams about the construction: "We've moved into a new era."