The Columbus Fire Department has recently completed construction on a substation located at 3948 Peniel Road., approximately four miles from the main station on S. Peak St. in Columbus.
Construction on the three-bay, 2,400 sq. ft. building started in late February.
“The department determined there was a need for this station. It was an idea that was a long time coming,” said Geoffrey Tennant, deputy fire chief.
Tennant said that the department wanted the building to “blend in and not look institutional.”  The exterior has dark beige board and batten siding. “We deliberately tried to make it look somewhat like a barn,” he added.
Equipment that will be relocated to the substation from the main station include a 1991 class A engine pumper truck and a 1992 tanker truck. In the future, Tennant hopes to receive a surplus brush truck from the NC Forest Service for the building’s third bay.
Tennant said the fire department purchased the property several years ago for “roughly $34,000.” He also stated that construction expenses are “roughly $167,000 plus.” Construction was funded through tax revenues.
Tennant said that he has between four and six volunteers who live near the substation who will be the first responders to the substation when the need arises. Plans for an open house will be announced. Signage is expected to be installed Friday.