Fire Station 27 To Open In Dallas Next Week

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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - When a fire engine answers a call from Station 27 starting next week, it will be the first time in more than 3 years. The Preston Center station was rebuilt, thanks to a 2006 bond package.

But no one imagined it would be nearly a decade before it opened.

"To me it was just frustrating that we continued to see no progress being made on the building," says Dallas City Council member Jennifer Gates.

It broke ground in 2012 and was supposed to open the following year. The price tag: just over $8 million, making it the most expensive fire station in Dallas history. City Council member Jennifer Gates says some of the delays were out of the city's control, and some weren't.

"We had some weather delays, the flooding, during the rains they broke a water main while they were excavating for the basement, and then that caused a really far setback," Gates says.

But many involved managing and planning the project, things like choosing the right materials.

"When we're building public buildings, it's nice that they're architecturally significant, but yet they're being built with taxpayer money," says Gates.

The firefighters who previously worked from there were dispersed to other stations. Now, it will again house four firefighters and an engine - with room for more. The Fire Department says they are excited to have a facility that can grow with the community during the next 50 years and more. And, as Gates says, the city learned some lessons along the way.

Fire Station 27 will hold a grand opening on December 10th at 9 a.m. It is open to the public.

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