By Robert Haugh

The expansion of Fire Station 8, located at 2400 Agnew Road in the Northside is underway and it will cost taxpayers nothing.

The Related Companies is funding the estimated $2.2 million fire station renovations a part of its City Place development.

Fire Station 8’s renovations are starting now because City Place is starting the first phase of its 240-acre mixed-use development on the current Santa Clara golf course.

Here’s what’s happening according to the City’s press release:

Starting 5 p.m. Friday, June 28, 2019, the Fire Department will temporarily close Fire Station 8, located at 2400 Agnew Road, for approximately nine months. Built in 1975, the current Fire Station 8 is outdated for today’s fire service needs.

The renovation and expansion of Fire Station 8 will include a new dormitory wing, all-gender bathrooms, workshop, turnout storage room and other improvements.

Work is expected to be completed in early spring 2020 at which time Engine 98 will return to Fire Station 8. Fire Station 8 currently houses Engine 98 with three firefighters.

Northside Emergency Calls?

Before the renovations are completed, Engine 98 will respond to emergencies in the area from Fire Station 6. It’s located at 888 Agnew Road, about 1.3 miles away.

The Fire Department did an analysis and they believe they can meet their response time goals for all emergencies. Their standard is six minutes for apparatus and less than eight minutes for paramedics to arrive on the scene.