ORLANDO, Fla. --
Orlando's new fire station 1 is costing the city a lot of money. The new fire station 1 in downtown Orlando isn't complete yet, but cost estimates are hitting $21 million.
The city has built other stations for about $4 million. The city says fire station 1 will be its main headquarters. But people are still wondering about some of the extra amenities.
The 60,000 square-foot state-of-the-art facility will be the new fire station number 1. City officials insisted the project was not over budget. However, Eyewitness News found a 2006 Power Point presentation that stated the fire station would cost $15 million.
Regardless of the price, some wonder if the station is necessary.
“I don’t think we need a new station. Response times are fine,” resident Joe Crawford said.
Response times aren't the issue. The city is moving the station because the old station 1 will be raised to make room for the new performing arts center.
Firefighters at station 1 will be moving to the new station later this month. The city says the majority of the furniture won't be going to the new station. Instead the city has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in new furnishings.
The station will have 12 new flat screen TV’s, stainless steel appliances, and granite light fixtures.
In the past couple of months, there were several change orders to the project including $1,100 to change the paint of the doors, $6,000 for three new filing cabinets for the chief, a $15,000 granite podium and a $1,300 mailbox.
“A $1,300 mailbox that is ridiculous,” Crawford said.
The city wouldn't make anyone available for an on-camera interview, but a spokeswoman points out the new building will serve as the city's main station and headquarters and many of the extras were custom designed for the building.
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