The city of Pearland broke ground on the new Fire Station 1, located at the corner of Old Alvin and McHard roads, on June 14. The existing Fire Station 1, located at 2020 Old Alvin Road, has been in operation for 48 years and is now past its useful life, according to the city. The new 10,300 square-foot station, designed by BRW Architects, will house one four-person engine crew and one two-person ambulance crew, and will be built with future expansion in mind. The new building also provides sleeping rooms, restrooms with showers, and a kitchen dining area, offices and an exercise room. The project is expected to cost $5.1 million and be complete by January. The old fire station will be demolished to expand the public works building, city officials said. The city’s capital improvement plan calls for two new fire stations additions and the replacement of Fire Station 4 by 2022. www.pearlandtx.gov