by David Chapman
Staff Writer
A partnership between ICI and Beazer has produced a fire station.
And, as the newly opened Fire Station No. 50 in East Jacksonville shows, not all fire stations are constructed equally.
Then again, not all newly constructed or revamped fire stations in the city have deals, the price tag or the looks that the newest addition to the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department have.
It was free.
“I thought it was too good to be true,” said Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton during the station’s ribbon cutting ceremony last month, referring to his initial reaction when approached about a new station deal.
The cost of the land, the building of the facility and even the ceremony were all courtesy of a partnership between ICI Homes and Beazer Homes. The homebuilders formed a 50/50 partnership, then approached the City more than two years ago about entering a private-public partnership that assisted in the expedited construction of the station and more.
The partnership called for a property swap for the two stations and facility construction, which cost around $4 million, said Hosseini, and will be part of a future 2,400-home ICI Homes/Beazer Homes community and shopping center.
Additionally, the builders will provide funds to move power lines, create roads that should lessen traffic from Kernan Road to Hodges Boulevard and more — all with a combined price tag of around $25 million total investment, including the price of the station, said Hosseini.
“This does not represent the norm,” said Tom Francis, JFRD public information officer. “This was a unique and novel form of acquisition.”
The station also was built with the style of the future neighbors in mind, as it has aesthetic touches like stonework that will match the community.
But there’s more to it than just looks. As fire department officials pointed out, the sheer size and technologically advanced equipment will be put to good use as its tenants serve the territory.
“Obviously, it’s the most beautiful in the city,” said JFRD Chief of Services Larry Peterson. “The city really was a winner.”
As JFRD Director Dan Kleman notes, the City, JFRD and citizens have been a big winner during the Peyton administration that has continued to support public safety.
“We were behind on upgrades six years or so ago,” said Kleman. “Mayor Peyton and (City) Council have continued to show support for public safety and provide funds for improvements even in difficult times.”
Kleman called the private-public partnership a milestone in combining efforts to save taxpayers money while continuing improvements and noted that such partnerships were something officials will continue to pursue.
“It is a great product and the price was right,” said Peyton.