Upper Arlington's oldest municipal building is getting its first major renovation in 35 years.
The city announced Aug. 25 that it will renovate and expand Fire Station 71 at 2095 Arlington Ave., a project expected to preserve the nearly century-old building's historic exterior while modernizing the interior for the Fire Division's current needs. Construction is anticipated to begin in early 2028 and wrap up by summer 2029.
A recently completed feasibility study identified safety, operational and facility improvements needed at the station, according to the city's announcement. The city did not release the study publicly or provide a cost estimate for the project. The unsigned announcement did not name a project lead, and no city official was made available for comment.
The city said it is searching for an Owner's Representative to guide the project through design and construction. Once that firm is selected, an architect will be hired to develop the design.
Station history
Fire Station 71 dates to 1930, when Upper Arlington voters approved construction of the city's first municipal building. It originally served as city hall, housing firefighters and other city workers. After administrative offices moved to the Municipal Services Center on Tremont Road in the early 1970s, the Arlington Avenue building became a dedicated fire station under a regional numbering system.
The station was last gutted and rebuilt in 1991 at a cost of $1 million to accommodate larger fire apparatus and address safety concerns. For comparison, the city spent $6 million in bonds to build a new Station 72 on Reed Road in 2010, according to the Fire Division's history page.
What's ahead
The city laid out a four-phase timeline:
- 2026: Owner's Representative selection and start of architect search
- 2027: Design development with community engagement opportunities
- Early 2028: Construction begins
- Summer 2029: Anticipated completion
The city said it will keep Station 71 fully operational throughout construction, though it has not detailed how.
The project remains in early planning stages, and many details will be determined through the design process. No City Council vote on a budget or contract has been scheduled publicly. Residents looking to weigh in can watch for community engagement sessions the city said it will hold during the 2027 design phase.
