City of North Port Fire and Police Public Safety Building officially opens in Wellen Park

The North Port community gathered to celebrate the grand opening

NORTH PORT, Fla. (April 19, 2022) – The City of North Port held a grand opening celebration for the new $13-million, 25,000-square-foot Fire and Police Public Safety Building, which was constructed in partnership with Wellen Park. Located at the southwest corner of Preto Boulevard and US 41, the new building is home to North Port Fire Station 86, a North Port Police annex and Sarasota County Fire Station 26.

The public participated in community tours of the facility, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony with local officials and community members.

“We are so pleased to partner with the City of North Port Fire and Police departments on this important facility,” said Rick Severance, president of Wellen Park. “More people every day are choosing Wellen Park to be their home and this new building will help our law enforcement and fire rescue meet the community’s needs even more efficiently and effectively.”

The largest city in Sarasota County, the City of North Port provides emergency services to Wellen Park through its fire rescue and police departments. As the city’s population has grown west of Myakka River, the new building will allow the City to provide faster emergency services to Wellen Park and the surrounding areas to meet current and future needs. Sarasota County Fire Department’s presence in the building also increases emergency response capabilities.

“This new location means we can be more proficient in responding to calls within Wellen Park,” said Deputy Fire Chief Scott Lane of North Port Fire Rescue. “The upgraded facility provides us a better opportunity to meet the needs of North Port residents now and in the future.”

“We are very pleased to have this new space that will help us serve Wellen Park and the surrounding area residents even better,” said Police Chief Todd Garrison. “We are committed to serving this community.”

The building was constructed by Willis Smith Construction and designed by Plunkett Raysich Architects. Engineering work was completed by Snell Engineering Consultants, AM Engineering Inc., Kimley-Horn and Quest Design Group.

A four-bay, double-deep, 7,000-square-foot apparatus room houses rescue vehicles and fire trucks behind bright red metal and glass doors. At the building’s corner, a 1946 Seagrave fire truck sits within a glass display room, symbolizing the rich history of North Port Fire Rescue and glowing at night like a lantern for the community.

The new Station 86 also provides offices, sleeping quarters and support space for the City of North Port and Sarasota County in this shared facility. A masonry stair tower serves as a spot where personnel can practice rappelling, ladder and hose training and other simulated conditions.

The campus also includes a rescue helipad for urgent emergency situations only, 1,600-square-foot police garage for support equipment and dedicated parking for police and fire personnel and visitors. A commemorative Hero Plaza memorializes and honors the men and women who have served for their dedication and achievements.

The Public Safety Building is located within Downtown Wellen, the vibrant gathering place currently under construction that will feature retail shops, waterfront dining, and offices. The mixed-use downtown was designed with wellness in mind and offers pedestrian-friendly streets and public community spaces, a grand lawn, and an 80-acre lake for fishing and paddle sports. A 2.8-mile trail circles the lake, creating opportunities for biking, walking and running. The future lakefront also has an outfitter offering kayak and paddleboard rentals from a floating dock.

Unique destinations include Solis Hall, a venue for intimate recitals and concerts, events, community gatherings, weddings and celebrations. Nature-inspired features like a children’s playground blending into its surroundings and a hammock grove with a lounge area under a nearly 100-year-old heritage oak tree connect visitors with the outdoors and provide spots for rest and relaxation.

Wellen Park has been named the No. 6 top-selling master-planned community in the U.S. for 2021 by prominent real estate consulting firm RCLCO. Wellen Park offers a dynamic mix of residential, commercial and recreational options in three districts: West Villages, Downtown Wellen and Playmore. The community currently has approximately 9,500 residents and at full build-out will have more than 50,000 residents and 22,500 homes.

The community’s brand and vision are rooted in wellness. Wellen Park’s wellness focus is holistic and practical, designed to give residents greater opportunities to connect with one another, take care of themselves and encourage a healthy and active lifestyle, all within an inclusive, genuine community vibe.

For more information about living at Wellen Park, call 941-960-7805, go to wellenpark.com or visit the Welcome Center at 12275 Mercado Drive in Venice, Fla. The Welcome Center is open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m.-5 p.m.

Contact:

Jennifer Hamilton, Gravina, Smith, Matte & Arnold Marketing and PR, 239-275-5758, [email protected]