GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved an agreement with Ajax Building Company last Tuesday to construct the new Fire Station 20. 

The completion is scheduled for June 27, 2025, and the project's price tag will not exceed $11,648,151. The agreement approved the second phase of the construction agreement. 

The new station will replace the current Fire Station 20, constructed in 1982 at 303 S. Oakridge Ave. in Green Cove Springs, just off of Idlewild Avenue. It is a small, one-story, 2,560-square-foot facility with three apparatus bays.

The new station will be just a few doors down. It's new location will be at the intersection of Idlewild Avenue and Southwest Street in Green Cove Springs, the former site of the Clay County Department of Health.

According to the proposal written by Ajax, "The project consists of an 18,847 square foot fire station to be located along Idlewild Avenue. The building will include a five-bay vehicle apparatus bay, bunk rooms, kitchen and offices."

The county's agreement with Ajax follows the BCC's expressed interest in prioritizing capital improvement funds to foster public safety.

During a BCC meeting in March, the dais moved forward with seeking bond issuance to ensure construction priorities are completed and completed quickly. If approved, the county would assume $64.5 million in debt for capital improvement projects including new fire stations. 

"It's imperative to me to provide public safety access to our residents," Commissioner Betsy Condon said in March.

"Your homeowners insurance rates will go down if we can put these fire stations close to you," she said.