State-of-the-Art Facility Marks a Milestone in City’s Bond Program
The City of Oakland Park proudly unveiled its newest addition to the community with the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Fire Rescue Station 9 on Friday, November 1, 2024. This modern facility, which replaces the original 56-year-old station on Park Lane East/NE 38th Street at 3rd Avenue, stands three blocks east at 599 Park Lane/NE 38th Street and NE 6th Avenue.
“It’s exciting to see Oakland Park’s first new fire station in over four decades become a reality,” said Mayor Mitch Rosenwald. “Fire Station 9, along with City Park and the North Andrews Gardens Community Center, demonstrates our commitment to providing top-tier facilities for our community as we approach our centennial in 2029,” Rosenwald continued.
The new Fire Station 9 reflects a substantial investment of over $18 million in public safety, fire, and emergency medical services. The 19,800-square-foot, two-story facility serves as the central hub for the Oakland Park Fire Rescue Department, with its first floor dedicated to Fire Rescue Operations and the second floor for fire administration and prevention. Featuring a three-bay garage, state-of-the-art decontamination quarters, and expanded staffing, Station 9 exemplifies Oakland Park’s commitment to exceptional public service.
“This milestone honors our deep-rooted tradition while embracing the future with optimism and pride,” said Oakland Park Fire Chief Stephen Krivjanik. “The opening of this new station is not just about brick and mortar; it’s about the legacy Oakland Park Fire Rescue has built over decades. Since the first station was inaugurated in 1946, generations of firefighters have courageously served our community, building a lasting tradition of bravery and dedication,” Krivjanik continued.
Since 2015, the city has invested more than $8 million in new equipment, vehicles, and initiatives for the Fire Rescue Department, including modernized radio and alerting systems, extrication gear, and enhanced personal protective equipment. These investments aim to equip firefighters with the best tools for efficient, safe service.
Beyond firefighting, Station 9 is an architectural and sustainable landmark in the community. The building’s south-facing artistic metal façade, crafted from recycled materials and produced using solar and wind-powered manufacturing, underscores Oakland Park’s commitment to sustainability. Additional site improvements include public restrooms for the adjacent park, on-street parking, and signal enhancements to improve traffic flow along Park Lane East and NE 6th Avenue.
Beyond enhancing public safety, Fire Station 9 serves as an architectural showpiece. Its design aligns with recent projects to create a cohesive and unified look for new city facilities. Located in a federally designated qualified census tract, the station reflects Oakland Park’s commitment to inclusive growth, ensuring that all areas benefit from the city’s progress. This facility stands as a beacon of Oakland Park’s values—combining safety, sustainability, and community access to support every corner of the community.
Currie Sowards Aguila Architects provided architectural services for Fire Station 9, with construction by Kaufman Lynn and MEP consulting by CES Engineering. The station broke ground in January 2023. The city secured $2.5 million in grant funding for the project and plans to incorporate the land on which the original Station 9 sits into the City Park complex on NE 3rd Avenue.
This facility is the third completed project under Oakland Park’s Comprehensive Facilities Plan, a ten-year redevelopment bond initiative approved by 67% of voters in 2018 to build and renovate key city buildings. City Park opened in October 2022, followed by the North Andrews Gardens Community Center in October 2023. With Fire Station 9’s completion, Oakland Park continues its efforts toward building Oakland Park’s second century.
For more information about Fire Station 9 and other projects in the Comprehensive Facilities Plan, please visit the City of Oakland Park website at www.oaklandparkfl.gov.