The City of Austin Capital Delivery Services, alongside the Austin Fire Department (AFD) and Austin-Travis County EMS (ATCEMS), proudly celebrated the re-opening of the newly reconstructed Fire Station #22 / EMS Station #12, located at 5309 East Riverside Drive. The much-anticipated event celebrates a milestone in the city’s ongoing efforts to modernize and expand public safety infrastructure in response to Austin’s rapid growth.

The newly rebuilt 10,600+ sq. ft. facility now features a three-vehicle apparatus bay, a fitness room for first responders, and is designed to meet U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED Silver standards, incorporating integrated concepts of technology and nature. Additionally, the site includes original artwork by Austin artist Kevin Muñoz from the City of Austin’s Art in Public Places Program, to be enjoyed by the community and station staff alike along East Riverside Drive.

Mayor Kirk Watson expressed the city's commitment to public safety during the ribbon-cutting ceremony: “It’s an honor to be here as we celebrate the renovation of these critical public safety stations, which are a cornerstone of our growing city. One of my top priorities is ensuring that every Austin resident has swift and reliable access to emergency services, no matter where they live. With Austin growing rapidly in every direction, we have the responsibility to modernize and expand our public safety infrastructure. This new state-of-the-art facility is a key part of that effort."

The station is part of the city's broader initiative to improve emergency response times, in line with the goal set by the Austin City Council in 2018 to achieve an 8-minute response time for 90% of calls. Austin Fire Chief Joel G. Baker spoke on the importance of the re-opening: “This renovated station represents a crucial step toward improving service in high-growth areas with low response times. With this facility, we are better positioned to respond quickly and efficiently to the emergency needs of the East Riverside community.”

The Fire Station #22 / EMS Station #12 re-opening highlights the city’s dedication to improving the infrastructure of its original stations while also addressing the needs of growing neighborhoods. ATCEMS Chief Robert Luckritz emphasized the station's role in fostering equity: “This station is not just a building; it’s a commitment to ensuring that all Austinites, regardless of where they live, receive the emergency services they need. We’re excited for the community to see and feel the benefits of this newly revitalized space.”

Capital Delivery Services Deputy Director, Eric Bailey, reiterated the significance of revitalizing Austin's public safety resources: “While we continue building new stations to serve growing areas, we remain committed to revitalizing the original stations that have long anchored our communities. This re-opening reflects our dedication to balance growth with maintaining essential services.  Additional photos of the event visit Capital Delivery Flickr page.

About the City of Austin Capital Delivery Services

Capital Delivery Services (CDS) builds public projects to support the community. Our team comprises engineers, architects, and construction professionals with extensive experience in managing projects of varying sizes. We collaborate with community members, consultants, contracting teams, and other City departments to ensure projects are delivered on-time and on-budget. Our approach centers on the philosophy of One City, One Team, One Approach.