After seven years of false starts, delays and frustration, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District formally unveiled its newest and least traditional fire station, western Lafayette's Fire Station 16, at a Sept. 9 public ceremony.
"Did we ever actually think we'd see this day?" quipped Fire Chief Lewis Broschard to the group of about 75 officials, dignitaries and residents who attended the midday ceremony at 4007 Los Arabis Drive. "It's been a long road, and thank you all for enduring this process."
It took the patience of Lafayette residents and city officials to endure the process, starting with the county closure of the station in 2012. The temporary trailer was removed, the old station was demolished and the reconstruction of the new building began four years later, but not before many heated meetings between Lafayette officials and fire district management.