If you haven’t driven through the downtown area of Grand Junction recently, there’s a new addition that’s been in the planning stages for years and has come to fruition.

Fire Chief Terry Hoefle says they have added a new 50-by-68-foot double drive-thru bay that is attached to the current facility. The new facility will allow for the department to fully house its six trucks and there is a connecting corridor to the current brick building that Hoefle says will be used for laundry for the ambulance department, along with a bathroom, shower and storage area. 

Hoefle notes the new 18-foot tall metal building is 40-foot deep, which he believes removes the limitation for the number as well as the future length of the new vehicles to fit comfortably. He says the brick building will eventually be renovated as well.

The under $200,000 project included demolishing three buildings that were on the site, as well as construction of the new facility by Neese Incorporated. Hoefle points out funding came mostly from 20 years of fundraising, as well as grants from MidAmerican Energy and the Wisecup Family Trust of Rippey. Hoefle believes this new facility will serve the community for the next 20-25 years.

He anticipates being able to fully use the new building by mid to late January.