The details
According to the news release, the project will mark the department’s sixth fire station in its 52-square-mile coverage area.
Porter Fire Department Chief Carter Johnson said initial estimates suggest the new station’s central location could reduce emergency response times by 2-3 minutes.
"Our mission is to serve the community efficiently, and this central location will allow us to do just that,” Jonhson said in the news release.
A closer look
The new fire station, which is set to be constructed on about 3 acres of land off Valley Ranch Crossing Drive, is coming as the populations in the New Caney and Porter areas continue to rise.
According to U.S. Census Bureau data, the total population of the New Caney-Porter area grew by nearly 30% over five years, rising from 60,140 in 2018 to 77,795 in 2023. The New Caney population, defined by the 77357 ZIP code, grew by more than 37%, while the Porter population, defined by the 77365 ZIP code, grew by nearly 24%, census data shows.
"With the ongoing growth of the Porter-New Caney area, this new station represents a crucial step forward in meeting the needs of our expanding jurisdiction,” Johnson said in the news release.
Greg Wattson—senior vice president of commercial development at The Signorelli Company, the real estate firm that manages Valley Ranch Town Center—said the department will enhance safety services in the area.
“Valley Ranch has become a cornerstone of commerce and a vibrant hub for the surrounding region," Wattson said in the news release. "The addition of this fire station reflects our dedication to creating a safe, well-supported community for families and businesses."
According to the news release, the fire station will also house additional administrative space to meet the needs of the department’s growing workforce.
What’s next
While a concrete timeline for construction and projected cost of the project is currently unavailable, officials with The Signorelli Company said the project is estimated to be complete in 3-4 years.
