The Board of Supervisors has taken a significant step toward bringing a new co‑located fire station and supportive housing facility to the southern part of the county, approving the rezoning and plan amendment required for the project to advance. The proposed development at 2801 Beacon Hill Road is designed to strengthen emergency response and provide vital support for vulnerable residents.
A Modern Upgrade for First Responders
The current Penn Daw Fire Station has been serving the community since 1967. After nearly 60 years, it is getting a much‑needed upgrade. The new two‑story station will be more than 24,000 square feet and will be built to meet modern operational demands.
Firefighters can expect:
- Faster response: Modern drive‑through apparatus bays and a direct exit onto Beacon Hill Road will help emergency vehicles reach calls more quickly.
- Better facilities: Upgraded living quarters, operational spaces and training areas will better support the crew serving the Richmond Highway community.
Supportive Housing
Adjacent to the new station, the county will build a 55,000‑square‑foot emergency and supportive housing facility designed to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
The facility will offer:
- Emergency beds: A safe place to stay for individuals in crisis.
- 50 beds
- 20 individual supportive housing units
- 10 family supportive housing units
- Support services: On‑site meals, job training, medical respite, case management and space for daytime activities.
- Long‑term stability: Supportive housing units for both individuals and families who need additional help to remain stably housed.
The project is funded in part by the 2016 Human Services and Community Development Bond Referendum, which supports replacement or modernization of emergency housing facilities across the county.
Community Engagement
Since 2020, the Penn Daw Fire Station and Emergency Shelter project has undergone extensive community engagement to ensure the final design reflects the priorities and concerns of nearby residents and the broader community.
The project team has held 20 Advisory Committee meetings and seven community-wide meetings to review site selection, design alternatives, and key topics such as stormwater management, civic identity, buffering adjacent neighborhoods, building placement and separating public-facing amenities from primary entrances.
Three design concepts were shared publicly, and community and Advisory Committee feedback directly shaped the current design. In addition to formal meetings, the project team met directly with residents whose homes border the site to discuss potential impacts, the landscape buffer and stormwater features.
Designed with Neighbors in Mind
The county is working to ensure these new buildings fit into the surrounding community. To keep things comfortable for those living nearby, the plan includes:
- Privacy: Enhanced landscaping and tree buffers between the buildings and nearby homes.
- Getting around: Improvements along Beacon Hill Road, including sidewalk and bicycle facility upgrades, to support safer walking and biking.
- Traffic flow: Separate entrances for the fire station and the housing facility to keep vehicle movements organized and safe.
- The project is also designed to achieve LEED Gold Certification, reflecting the county’s commitment to sustainable and energy‑efficient public facilities.
Looking Ahead
This project is part of a larger effort to revitalize the Richmond Highway Corridor including the future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) – “The One” system and expand access to essential services.
Design work is underway and is expected to be completed by summer 2027.
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