Fire Station No. 8 Replacement

Location

4845 Langston Blvd, Arlington, VA 22207  View Map

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Status

Construction

Phase 1 construction on the new building was completed in June 2024 and the Fire Department moved into the new station on June 25.

FS8-April-2024.JPG

While the new fire station is fully operational, there is still an additional phase of work scheduled for completion by winter 2025. Phase 2 includes installation of two underground storage tanks, the parking lot, landscaping and demolition of the temporary bay structure. As of October, the temporary apparatus bay has already been removed. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday, and some Saturday work from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

About the Project

Old FS8.png Established in 1918 and initially known as the Halls Hill Volunteer Fire Department, Fire Station No. 8 has left a legacy in Arlington as the only station staffed by an all-Black, volunteer unit for decades during segregation. By 2015, the existing fire station, built in 1963, had reached the end of its useful life and did not provide the capacity for Fire and Emergency Medical Service program needs. Following recommendations from the Fire Station No. 8 task force and the History and Legacy working group, the Fire Station No. 8 replacement project began in 2019 and included the construction of a temporary fire station at 2211 N. Culpeper St., demolition of the existing fire station, and design and construction of the new facility.

The new Fire Station No. 8 is a 20,500 square foot building with three stories, four drive-through apparatus bays, and a designated decontamination zone. It is Arlington's first fire station to incorporate many of the County's new sustainability goals, including an energy efficient building envelope, a green vegetated roof, and solar panels to reduce the building's commercial energy demand. Fire Station No. 8 is now the home for ACFD’s Engine 108, Medic 108, Fire Marshal 108, Mobile Air, and Rehab units.

Ahead of the grand opening event, expected in fall 2024, the Fire Station No. 8 History and Legacy committee is working with Arlington County’s Center for Local History to collect and compile historical artifacts to feature in the display cases and public lobby exhibition. The team will continue to accept permanent donations or temporary loans of photographs, awards, artifacts, or mementos on a rolling basis. To make or discuss a potential donation, read more in this letter and contact construction project manager Maire Bourque at mbourque@arlingtonva.us.

 

About the Process

Timeline

October 2015: The County Board approved the charge for the Fire Station No. 8 Task Force to review viable sites for constructing an upgraded and expanded Fire Station No. 8.

July 2016: The County Board accepted the task force recommendation to build a new, four-bay station at its existing location (4845 Langston Blvd.)

January 2017: The County Board approved the acquisition of three parcels (2211, 2215 and 2217 N. Culpeper St.) to use as a temporary location for Fire Station No. 8 during construction.

January 2018: The Fire Station No. 8 History and Legacy working group was established to recommend strategies to recognize, emphasize and honor the history and legacy of the Halls Hill Volunteer Fire Department.

June 12, 2019: Community meeting (Presentation)

December 2021: Completion of the temporary fire station at 2211 N. Culpeper St.

May 2022 - June 2024: Phase 1 construction of the new building.

June 2022: Demolition of the existing Fire Station No. 8 completed.

December 20, 2022: Progress update meeting (Presentation and recording)

July 19, 2023: Progress update meeting (Presentation and recording)

June 25, 2024: Fire Department started operating from the new building.

Fall 2024: Phase 2 (exterior work, removal of temporary bay structure) has started, with expected completion in winter 2025. The temporary apparatus bay has been removed.

 

Construction Activity Updates

Winter 2024: Most of the interior finishes were completed at the end of 2023. Crews neared the end of Phase 1 activities, including installing sidewalks, curbs, and gutters.

Fall 2023: The brickwork on the exterior of the building was completed. Crews installed the exterior metal panels, water main, the gas line, and worked on the stormwater vaults and traffic signal. Inside the building, crews installed the ceiling grid, lighting, mechanical grilles, sprinkler heads, and flooring.

Summer 2023:The contractor installed the brick façade, interior drywall, and stairwell guardrails, and laid the gas, water, and sewer lines from the building to the street. Installation of the exterior windows and solar panels on the roof were completed. Construction of the stormwater detention systems and the addition of the apparatus bay doors and exterior metal panels occurred in July.

Spring 2023: Crews enclosed the building, completed the roofing, and installed windows and the green roof. Work continued on the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing rough-in.

Winter 2023: Work on enclosing the building, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing rough-in. Installation of block walls, brickwork, metal studs, and insulation.

December 2, 2022: A topping out celebration was held to recognize the completion of the steel framing.

November 2022: Installation of the steel columns, beams and second floor metal decking.

September – October 2022: Crews worked on the footings and foundation of the new Fire Station 8 structure and continued laying the underground piping for the building's electrical, plumbing, and other systems. They poured the floor concrete and laid some masonry.

August 2022: Crews worked on the foundation of the new structure, including digging for the building’s footings, setting reinforcing bar, and pouring the footings. After this, the foundation walls were poured. Crews also laid underground piping for the building’s electrical, plumbing, and other systems.

May – June 2022: Demolition on the Fire Station 8 structure began the week of May 2 and finished in June 2022.

 

Public Facilities Review Committee Documents

Date Engagement/Feedback Documents
November 18, 2020 PFRC Meeting #6 Presentation: Arlington County Fire Station #8, Meeting #6
December 11, 2019 PFRC Meeting #5 Presentation: Arlington County Fire Station #8, Meeting #5
October 16, 2019 PFRC Meeting #4 Presentation: Arlington County Fire Station #8, Meeting #4
September 18, 2019 PFRC Meeting #3 Presentation: Arlington County Fire Station #8, Meeting #3
June 26, 2019 PFRC Meeting #2 Presentation: Arlington County Fire Station #8, Meeting #2
May 1, 2019 PFRC Meeting #1 Presentation: Arlington County Fire Station #8, Meeting #1

 

Funding

Funding identified in the 2019-2028 CIP and provided through other various funding sources.