Florida Construction News staff writer
City of Orlando officials on Wednesday broke ground on Fire Station 18, the first permanent fire station in the city in almost two decades.
Mayor Buddy Dyer, District 1 City Commissioner Jim Gray, Interim Orlando Fire Chief Jason Revoldt, and Orlando Fire personnel attended the ceremony, marking the start of construction on the state-of-the-art facility in Lake Nona.
Station 18 will be strategically located at Luminary Boulevard and Centerline Drive, near Narcoossee Road, a new city park, and Luminary Middle School. The one-story, multiple-bay station is designed to support rapid emergency response to both new developments and existing neighborhoods in the growing southeast area of Orlando.
City leaders approved up to four new fire stations in May 2023 to meet rising demand for emergency services. Fire Station 18 will also serve as a permanent hub for community-based fire prevention, including educational programming and inspections.
Construction is expected to take 18 months, with the station scheduled to open in 2027. While a general contractor has not yet been publicly announced, the city is currently in the pre-construction and bidding phase. The facility will feature the latest technology and space to accommodate specialized units and equipment.
“This station will allow our crews to serve the Lake Nona community more efficiently and safely,” said Chief Revoldt. “We look forward to welcoming our neighbors once it’s completed.”
