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St. Pete Beach marks demolition of Fire Station Number 22 after storm flooding
Summary
Officials and firefighters gathered in St. Pete Beach to mark the demolition of Fire Station Number 22, which was damaged in a storm. Speakers said firefighters have operated from a temporary facility less than a mile away and estimated demolition and site clearing will take about a week before rebuilding begins.
Agency official said the city gathered to "witness the demolition of the old Fire Station Number 22." The event served as both a ceremonial farewell to a longtime neighborhood station and a practical step to clear a storm-damaged site for reconstruction.
The staff member explained the reason for demolition: "Since the facility was damaged in the storm, we we had about 3 to 4 feet of water in this facility ever since that day." He said firefighters have been operating from a temporary facility less than a mile north and that response times have remained within acceptable limits.
A firefighter noted the station's local roots: "This station's been part of our community since 1974," and described it as a neighborhood hub where residents historically brought bicycles for air, sought minor first aid and built connections with the department. A former firefighter recalled 23 years at the station, saying there were many family gatherings and memories that will make the demolition bittersweet.
On logistics, a staff member summarized the lead-up to demolition and the near-term plan: "It did take, approximately a couple months to get everything started from paperwork to being here today" and projected the demolition "should take approximately a week from start to finish to get everything cleared up so we can begin the new build." No formal vote or ordinance was cited during the remarks; speakers framed the work as operational and part of recovery after the storm.
Officials framed the project as a step toward restoring full service: "It's a, new beginning," the agency official said, adding that the department expects to continue serving the community without interruption and to create new memories at the rebuilt station.
The demolition and site clearance were presented as underway or imminent; speakers did not provide a firm date for when construction will begin, nor did they state funding sources or a construction timeline beyond the projected one-week clearance. The event focused on community ties and continuity of service rather than policy decisions.
