Area contractor tapped to build new fire stations

Sarasota County has chosen Willis A. Smith Construction to build four new fire stations on tap for the area by the end of 2016.

The firm’s selection follows Sarasota County’s decision to hire Sweet Sparkman Architects for the design process. The new fire stations will be designed with a blend of the latest practices in emergency management and more traditional methods of service delivery, as well as an emphasis on reducing energy costs — the new stations will be certified under the USGBC Building & Design Construction LEED program.

Each fire station is designed to meet a Sarasota County resolution requiring minimum fossil-fuel energy consumption performance standards.

Water-efficient landscaping with adaptive plants and effective irrigation will also be incorporated at each site to reduce energy costs. Each fire station will meet FEMA standards for hardened construction and will be able to withstand wind loads up to 150 mph.

"We are excited about working with the Sarasota County on these new facilities and helping to upgrade critical services they provide," said David Sessions, president of Willis A. Smith Construction, in a statement.

The new fire stations will be located on Bee Ridge Road, on South Tamiami Trail, at Twin Lakes Park and along Desoto Road near University Town Center and the Nathan Benderson Park. Construction is slated to start on the first station this spring with all four fire stations complete in 2016.

Contact Nolan Peterson at [email protected]