Towson Celebrates New $7.6M Fire Station

TOWSON, MD — Lawmakers and public safety personnel cut the ribbon on Baltimore County’s newest firehouse: Towson Fire Station #1.

“It’s a great day for the people of Towson and all of Baltimore County as we officially dedicate this attractive, modern fire station,” County Executive Kevin Kamenetz said in a statement.

The new firehouse is located on Courtland Avenue near the police station.

The previous fire station, on York Road at Bosley Avenue, was built in the 1950s and lacked updated sleeping quarters and drive-through bays.

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The new station dedicated Monday has been in operation since Dec. 10, 2015, according to The Baltimore Sun, which reports it includes sleeping quarters for 17.

It also has bays that firetrucks can drive through, as opposed to reversing out of, a practice that puts emergency equipment and personnel at risk.

“The best part is, this new station was built at no expense to taxpayers, as a result of the sale of the old station at York and Bosley,” Kamenetz said.

The old property is slated to become a Royal Farms, pending approval by the County Council, according to The Baltimore Sun, which reported the value of the property was $8.5 million.

This is the third iteration of Towson’s firehouse.

The first station, in operation from 1879 to 1955, was at the intersection of Joppa, Dulaney Valley and York roads, according to the county.

The second Towson station was on York Road at Bosley Avenue from 1955 to 2015.

The latest Towson Fire Station #1 is at 204 Courtland Avenue.

Fast Facts About New Towson Fire Station

• Cost: $7.6 mllion
• Cost to taxpayers: $0; covered by sale of former station at York Road/Bosley Avenue
• Space: 19,700 square feet
• Green features: rooftop vegetation trays; low-flow plumbing fixtures that reduce water consumption up to 56 percent; Forest Stewardship Council-approved wood; energy-efficient utilities reducing costs by 21 percents; LEED certified building
• Local sources: 24 percent of materials are from within 500 miles

—Information provided by Baltimore County government

Pictured, ribbon-cutting at new Towson fire station on Jan. 4. Photo Credit: Baltimore County Government.