Fire House #2 Breaks New Ground in Olympia Community
- CUBNSC
- 15 minutes ago
- 4 min read
By Javar Juarez | CUBNSC | Community Feature
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A long-awaited investment in public safety and neighborhood revitalization moved from promise to progress Wednesday morning as city leaders, firefighters, and community advocates broke ground on the new Columbia-Richland Fire Department Fire House 2 in Olympia, a project city officials say reflects years of community advocacy and collaboration.
The ceremony, held at the development site near the western end of Hamrick Street, marked the start of construction on a modern firehouse designed to strengthen emergency response times while supporting the long-term growth of one of Columbia’s most historic and rapidly evolving neighborhoods.
Councilman Will Brennan, who represents the Olympia area, described the project as the fulfillment of a long-standing commitment to residents who have consistently called for improved safety resources.
“Breaking ground on this new firehouse represents a promise kept by this council and those who came before us,” Brennan said. “Olympia has always been a close-knit, resilient community, and this project reflects the city’s commitment to honoring that advocacy. The new firehouse will significantly improve response times and provide greater protection for families, students, and the growing business corridor. It is the result of strong collaboration with the Columbia-Richland Fire Department, led by Chief Jenkins, and a team that truly poured their hearts and souls into making this happen.”
Present for the groundbreaking were Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann, City Manager Teresa Wilson, Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins, members of City Council, senior city staff, firefighters, and long-standing Olympia community leaders.
A Station Built for the Future — and the Community
The new Fire House 2 will replace a facility that dates back more than a century, reflecting the dramatic growth and development Olympia has experienced over the past several decades. According to Fire Chief Jenkins, crews assigned to Station 2 respond to roughly 1,400 calls annually, including coverage for the University of South Carolina, surrounding neighborhoods, and major event corridors.
Designed by Stuart Cooper Newell Architects and constructed by Reeves Young, the approximately 15,000-square-foot firehouse will include three apparatus bays, firefighter living quarters, individual bunk rooms, training and community space, on-site fitness facilities, and advanced decontamination areas designed to reduce long-term health risks for firefighters.
City Manager Teresa Wilson emphasized that the project reflects years of collaboration between residents, firefighters, and city leadership.
“This project shows what’s possible when the City of Columbia works together with its community. It reflects years of advocacy, careful planning, and collaboration, and it ensures our firefighters have safe, secure spaces worthy of the work they do, here in Olympia and across the city.”
The roughly $10 million project is being funded in part through Community Development Block Grant mitigation funds, underscoring the city’s effort to align public safety investments with neighborhood stabilization and resilience goals.
More Than a Fire Station — A Firehouse
Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann credited years of community advocacy and firefighter input for shaping the project, reaffirming the city’s long-term commitment to investing in public safety infrastructure.
“For the past four years, our focus has been on working together as a team, and today you can see the results of that effort,” Rickenmann said. “This project, which I proudly refer to as the ‘Hendley House,’ reflects what happens when we listen to our firefighters, our design teams, and our community. We are committed to investing in our city, our employees, and our infrastructure. Today marks the beginning, not the end, of that commitment as we continue to upgrade facilities, equipment, and technology to support the men and women who serve our city every day.”
The mayor’s reference honors Vi Hendley, a longtime community advocate whose persistent engagement helped drive the realization of Fire House 2. Hendley used her remarks to reframe how the public understands fire stations, emphasizing that they are, in fact, homes where firefighters spend nearly a third of their adult lives.
She underscored the physical and emotional toll of firefighting, one of the most dangerous professions in the country, and praised the city for prioritizing firefighter health, safety, and dignity in the design of the new facility. Hendley also encouraged residents to engage more deeply with their local firehouses, stressing that public understanding and advocacy are essential to sustaining long-term investments in public safety.
“This isn’t just a fire station, it’s a firehouse, and that distinction matters,” Hendley said. “Firefighters return here after some of the most traumatic calls imaginable. They deserve a safe, healthy, and comfortable place to recover and prepare to serve again, and I’m grateful to see the city fully committed to giving them the home they deserve.”
A New Chapter for Olympia
Beyond emergency response, city leaders framed the new Fire House 2 as a catalyst for continued revitalization in Olympia and surrounding parts of District 3. Improved safety infrastructure, they noted, is foundational to housing stability, business growth, and long-term neighborhood confidence.
Construction is expected to continue over the next year, with the completed firehouse serving Olympia and greater Columbia for decades to come.
As ceremonial shovels broke ground, the message from city leaders and residents alike was clear: Fire House 2 represents not just new construction, but a renewed commitment to Olympia’s future.