Engine 38 groundbreaking in Tacony

At the Intersection of Magee Avenue and Keystone Street in Tacony Friday morning, the first pinch of soil was cast from a silver shovel as Mayor Michael Nutter helped lead the way for the new Engine 38 Firehouse.

Due to the construction of the I-95 South ramp, the old Engine 38 Firehouse had to be demolished. Not only will the new firehouse bring back its original firefighters, but it will also serve as the city’s first entirely green municipal building.

“It has its green certifications,” said Commissioner Lloyd Ayers of the Philadelphia Fire Department. “It has a roof that is going to be a roof that is vegetated so that you can have control runoff and we can make the best of our rainwater.”

In order to make way for the new building, Disston Park will lose one of its basketball courts, but former president of the Tacony Civic Association, Lou Iatarola, said not to worry because the new building will give back to the community.

“There’s a public/neighborhood partnership in that the fire training room will double as a community room and will have public access,” he said. “We will be able to have neighborhood meetings there.”

The new Engine 38 building is slated to be ready 18 months from now — that’s 18 months too long for Jennifer Andre, who lives across the street. “I hope it doesn’t take 18 months,” said Andre as she laughed.

Despite the wait, Tacony residents have high hopes for the new Engine 38 firehouse. Construction is already underway and on schedule.