McCarthy Building Companies broke ground on the $5.5-million College of Southern Nevada Fire Station and Instructional Center. The project, a joint venture between the City of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue and the College of Southern Nevada, will serve a dual purpose in providing the city with a much needed working fire station and the college with classroom space for its Fire Science Program students.

McCarthy is serving as construction manager at risk on the 15,400-sq-ft building, located on the southwest corner of the campus. It will house Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Station 6, as well as 4,600 sq ft of classroom space for CSN, Las Vegas Fire & Rescue training and professional development sessions when not in use by the college.

Designed by JMA Architecture Studios, the building features energy saving components such as increased daylighting, water efficient landscaping and provisions for the installation of solar panels. Scheduled for completion in the fall, the new building will be constructed using metal stud framing with an EIFS and stone exterior finish.

A glass wall located in the lobby will provide viewing into the fully functional, four-bay fire station and allow students to observe firefighters and emergency medical technicians in action. The lobby will also feature educational displays about the history of the fire service for students and community members’ enjoyment.