The City of Harrisonburg announced Monday that it is moving forward with plans to replace Fire Station #4, the primary emergency services facility serving Downtown Harrisonburg.
The project seems to be in the very early stages – a release from the city tells us that the city is currently soliciting interest from firms related to the design and construction phases.
The current Fire Station #4 building, located at 210 E. Rock St., in the city’s Northeast Neighborhood, will eventually be demolished to make way for the new fire station.
During construction, firefighters who serve at Station #4 will be re-located to nearby fire stations. The temporary relocation is expected to last approximately one year.
The new fire station is expected to be a one-story building with modern features including a solar array that will help offset energy costs.
The goal is to ensure that the station is functional for at least 50 years.
“Station #4 is a critical part of this community, and we are thrilled to be keeping it right here,” said Mayor Deanna Reed, a long-time resident of the Northeast Neighborhood.
“Our commitment to the safety and well-being of this community is tied directly to ensuring our firefighters have the facilities they need to provide service,” Reed said.
The city started looking at its needs related to Fire Station #4, which was built in 1975, back in 2019, with the intent to renovate the structure. The results of the 2019 study found substantial needed improvements that made further investment in the structure not fiscally responsible, and work on the project was then paused in 2020 during the pandemic.
The city did eventually move forward with purchasing a parcel of land adjacent to the existing station at the corner of East Gay Street and Community Street in 2025 with the goal of keeping Station #4 in the Northeast Neighborhood and moving the project forward in the near future.
“This fire station in particular is so important because it is the only station in the city located completely within a neighborhood,” Fire Chief Matthew Tobia said. “We truly appreciate the commitment of City Council, under the direction of Mayor Reed, and City Manager Banks in continuing to prioritize public safety as a core function of government. This investment will positively impact current and future generations who call this city their home.”
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Chris Graham
