HOLT, Fla., Aug. 18, 2021—Holt Fire District took the first step toward building a new fire station Aug. 13.

A contract for civil engineering work was signed between HFD and Municipal Engineering Services Inc.

“We are off and moving,” said Holt Fire Commissioner Jim Connors. “This is the official start of the new fire station in Holt.”

A company based in Navarre, Municipal has completed several fire station projects in Pensacola and Escambia County.

Additionally, Municipal is working with Holt Water Works Inc. to secure funding for improvements to the water system.

Building the new station will be completed in phases. Phase I consists of the civil engineering design to determine what the overall site will look like at the ground level.

Municipal will provide all civil engineering design services to define the overall site design for the new fire station.

The engineering work will provide a baseline through design development and serve as a beginning template for the construction phase to begin later.

A topographic survey of the nearly 3 acres completed in August 2020 shows where property features such as driveways, trees and the park are located.

A preliminary site plan designed by Holt Fire Commissioner Roger Myers shows where the fire station could be placed in relation to the county park, co-located on the property.

“First, we’ll walk the site, confirm the [topographic survey] and add what’s not there,” said Dale Long, Municipal’s senior project engineer. “We’ll piece the site plan with the survey, orient it and work our way out from there.”

Municipal will determine where driveways, parking, septic systems and the footprint of the building itself will be placed on the property.

The $54,250 contract provides for:

• Geotechnical engineering and on-site sewage disposal system design and permitting
• Schematic design
• Design development
• Construction documents
• Permitting

An additional $11,000 can be optioned by HFD if needed for final bid documents and limited administration and monitoring of the construction contract.

Municipal has 120 days to complete the project.

After civil engineering work is complete, Phase II will be to find an architect to design the new station. Phase III will be the actual construction of the building.

“We’re not turning dirt yet, but you can’t do that without taking this step,” said Connors.