Willmeng Construction and the Pinewood Fire Department hosted a gathering to mark the beginning of construction on a much-needed fire station in the growing community south of Flagstaff. The sledgehammer ceremony brought together members of the Pinewood Fire Department board, Munds Park residents, and project partners to commemorate this important step forward for the community.
Willmeng will lead the construction team on this milestone project. The demolition of the original structure, which was built in 1973 and has had multiple additions and remodels throughout the years, will make way for the state-of-the-art, 11,500 square foot station that will better serve the Munds Park community.
“Today, we break ground not just on a new fire station, but on the future rooted in readiness, resiliency, and unity,” said Pinewood Fire Department Chief Josh Tope. “This new Pinewood Fire Station is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a promise that when our community calls, we will answer. This fire station will serve Munds Park with pride. It will stand as a lasting testament to what’s possible when a community comes together with purpose, vision, and heart.”
Project Details
The project involves demolishing the current structure and constructing a new two-story, 3-bay fire station that was designed by Perlman Architects of Arizona. The new station’s exterior architecture will draw inspiration from the cozy, cabin-like aesthetics of the area, featuring steep roof pitches and overhangs reminiscent of A-frame homes. Key interior spaces will include a crew office/training space, a large kitchen and dining Area, a day room, 8 individual sleeping quarters, a physical fitness/exercise room, a turn-out room, decontamination spaces, and administration offices. Construction is expected to be completed by April of 2026 and the station to be fully operational by Summer of 2026.
“As we have been having conversations with Chief Tope, one thing that really stands out is how much this community cares for each other and especially the fire department,” said Willmeng Market Leader Chris Brown. “Willmeng loves these types of projects where we get to build something that will impact a community like this. We’re excited about building a station that can be a beacon for the people in Pinewood as well as being a place that the first responders can be proud to call their home away from home.”
The Pinewood Fire Department serves a community that has seen tremendous growth and faces ever-increasing demands for emergency services. A new, modern facility is essential to equip first responders with the technology and resources needed to respond effectively to all types of emergencies in the high country. Securing funding for this project was a multi-year effort, significantly aided by the passage of Proposition 446 in 2023, which provided $4.513 million in bond funding.
“This moment has been years in the making,” added Chief Tope. “It wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering dedication of so many individuals and groups in our community.”
