South Louisville’s Metro Fire Station No. 10 was unveiled by Mayor Greg Fischer and Congressman John Yarmuth today in the Beechmont neighborhood.The station will be located directly next to the old station at 510 West Ashland Avenue. The two buildings will eventually be connected, with older 1924 station being used for storage, said Captain Salvador Melendez, public information officer for Louisville Fire Department. The new station is eligible for up to a $3.4 million grant through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which details are still being worked out. Metro Government will also invest $400,000 in the project, said mayor spokeswoman Lindsay English.A dozen firefighters operate out of Station 10, said Melendez. Firefighters “were pretty crammed in there,” he said of the 1924 building. Firefighters will remain in the old station for the next week until furniture arrives, he said.The new station will feature energy efficiencies and earth-friendly features including:
- Geothermal HVAC
- LED lighting
- Energy efficient lighting
- Pervious paves, which prevent storm water from entering storm sewers directly
Other features include a backup generator and a “cardio-friendly” alarm system that gradually alerts firefighters.There will be two phases to the grant process, said English. Phase I is complete and included today’s official opening. Phase II will include improvements to the old station and the installation of solar panels on the roof, which is expected to begin in the next two weeks.