City Of Akron Breaks Ground On New Fire Station No. 12 In Wallhaven Neighborhood

Akron, Ohio, May 16, 2023 — Today, the City of Akron held a groundbreaking celebration at the site of the future Fire Station No. 12 at 112 S. Hawkins in the Wallhaven neighborhood. The new station will be 14,959 sq. ft. and cost approximately $9.5M. It is expected to open in late summer of 2024. The station will have 9 beds and, at a minimum, will have a crew of 6 firefighter/medics, an Engine, and a med unit.

“Today was an exciting day for the entire Akron community and especially for the residents here in Ward 4,” said Mayor Horrigan. “In 2018, we broke ground on fire station 2 in Middlebury which was the first new fire station in Akron in 22 years. Now, just a few short years later, we’re happy to break ground on yet another new fire station, making it the third one in 5 years and marking our latest investment into Akron Fire.”

Highlights of the new Station No. 12 include:

• 3 full apparatus bays

• Living quarters for 9 firefighter/medics

• Equipment decontamination facilities

• Air drying hose tower

“Station 12 has been serving the Akron community for 72 years, averaging almost 3,000 calls in 2022,” said Chief Natko. “This new building will help our firefighter/medics better serve Akron and will keep our firefighters safer as they answer the call to protect our residents. I know the Ward 4 community is gaining a great investment with this fire station and I’m confident it will serve this area for many years to come.”

Today’s groundbreaking celebration included Mayor Horrigan, Fire Chief Joseph Natko, Deputy Fire Chief Richard Vober, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Clarence Tucker, Ward 4 Councilman Russel C. Neal Jr., and other members of Akron City Council. It also included representatives from the construction companies working on the project: Kenmore Construction and Metis Construction Services.

Station 12 will join Station 2 and Station 4 as the latest to be replaced. The City has already begun discussions to evaluate which station will be up next for replacement.