Construction of new public safety building on schedule
Construction on the new Crestview Public Safety Building is on schedule, according to public works director, Wayne Steele.
The new building, located at the corner of Brookmeade and Hospital Drive, will house the Crestview Fire Department's third station, a second police office and the city's emergency operations center. The new EOC in the center of the building will be approximately 20 feet by 40 feet and will be constructed of concrete walls designed to withstand 140 mph hurricane winds.
"We hope to be in the building by the first of May," said Crestview Fire Chief, Joe Traylor.
Traylor explained that a ladder and rescue truck will be located at the new fire station, which will bring the department closer to its goal of having a fire truck within five minutes of any location in Crestview. The new station also will support the two new schools and numerous developments scheduled to be built on the east side of the city.
The City Council approved a contract with Royster Construction Co. of Fort Walton Beach in June to construct the facility at an estimated cost of $710,000.