Coastal Fire Station Stands Up to Hurricane Storm Surge

Located on a barrier island in Northwest Florida, the new Perdido Key Fire Station and Community Center is ready to stand up to the storm surge from coastal hurricanes. The beautiful structure, sitting among white rolling sand dunes, is the 2014 TEAM award winner from the Mason Contractors Association of America for the its use of lightweight block.

The materials in the project were chosen for their durability and relationship to the coastal environment. The project has also been awarded a LEED Silver rating from the USGBC.

According to designers DAG Architects Inc. of Destin, FL the project is a replacement to an existing fire station and visitor’s information center. Challenged by a low elevation from sea level, the existing structures had been victim to more than one storm surge from various hurricanes. This presented the area residents with a challenge in that each time a hurricane struck the island, they were left without adequate emergency response services due to the damages to the fire station.

Quick Facts

• Location of Project: Perdido Key, Florida
• Project Total Square Footage: 18,694
• Cost per Square Foot: $213.00
• Construction Cost: $3,925,000.00
• Date of Substantial Completion: September 19,2013