Denver International Airport and the Denver Fire Dept. broke ground in late August at the future site of Fire Station 35, located at 25365 E 75th Ave., near Jackson Gap and 75th Avenue. Expected to be complete in summer 2016, this will be the airport’s fifth fire station.

The contemporary-designed building will be approximately 18,000 sq ft with four large apparatus bays and an arced roof, resembling an airplane hangar. Metal panels on the façade will add texture that gives the building depth and different appearances throughout the day as sunshine and shadows create interesting visual effects.

This will be the first airport fire station that will be accessible to the public. Its firefighters will respond primarily to public safety events at structures. The other four fire stations are on the airfield and focus on aircraft rescue firefighting and structural responses.

Initially, four firefighters, or one company, will be stationed 24-7 at Fire Station 35. There will be one fire engine for initial water attack housed at the new station, and in 2020, a fire truck equipped with numerous ladders and other supplies will be added for additional support.

“This new fire station will enhance the ability for our partners at the Denver Fire Dept. to respond to areas that are farther away from the airfield such as the Federal Aviation Administration’s radar control center, Peña Boulevard, Final Approach, the south campus and the new Westin Hotel and RTD train stations on airport property,” said DIA CEO Kim Day. “This is the right time to position first responders closer to Peña Boulevard as we continue to plan for future growth and development.”

The new fire station will be constructed design-build. The Denver office of PCL Construction Services will deliver the design and construction services. PCL was selected through a competitive bid process, with disadvantaged business enterprise goals of 25% for design and 33% for construction.

The building is designed to meet LEED-Gold certification. Key features include a permeable paver system, which serves as a stormwater filter and a more effective way to replenish ground water than concrete or asphalt, and a state-of-the art roofing system, similar to the Westin DIA hotel.

“It is so rewarding to break ground on this new fire station because it was identified over a decade ago as a future need,” said Airport Fire Division Chief Angela Cook. “As more and more development is taking place around airport property, this new fire station will enhance our ability to protect property and life. We are also looking forward to having a community firehouse at the airport where the public can have greater access and connect to Denver firefighters.”