North Carolina Construction News staff writer
City leaders, firefighters and residents gathered Tuesday morning (July 15) on a quiet stretch of Miranda Road to break ground on Firehouse 46, a long-anticipated station designed to bring faster emergency response to one of Charlotte’s fastest-growing areas.
The $17.3-million project will be built by the – McFarland Joint Venture, selected through the city’s Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) process. The firm will oversee all phases of construction, which is expected to be completed in 2026.
“This is more than a building—it’s a promise,” Charlotte Fire Chief Reginald Johnson told the crowd, standing near Ladder 33 under a towering American flag. “It’s about service. It’s about people. It’s about time. Because when you call 911, every second counts.”
Firehouse 46 will be a 14,600-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility featuring three apparatus bays, modern living quarters, a fitness area, administrative offices and staff and visitor parking. It will house an engine, ladder and battalion company and include sustainable features such as solar panels, a geothermal HVAC system and eco-friendly landscaping aimed at LEED certification.
Located in northwest Charlotte, the new firehouse fills a critical gap in service coverage created by rapid residential development and recent annexations. Until now, the nearest fire stations have been too far to meet Charlotte Fire’s response time standards.
“This firehouse is how we fix that,” said Johnson, referencing recent emergencies that underscored the importance of response time—including a two-alarm apartment fire where six people were rescued, and a surprise home birth of a 21-week-old baby who took her first breath in a firefighter’s arms.
Council Member Malcolm Graham, who represents District 2, called the groundbreaking a sign of progress and a “promise kept.”
“You can see the growth out here,” Graham said. “This is an investment in public safety, in our community, and in the future of northwest Charlotte.”
Ashlee Burkhalter, president of the Glenlea Neighborhood Association, said Firehouse 46 means more than infrastructure—it represents peace of mind for families nearby.
“It means faster response times, a safer environment for our elders and children, and a sense of presence—knowing help is never far when it matters most,” she said. “This project says to neighborhoods like ours: we see you, we value you, and we’re investing in your future.”
Chief Johnson closed the ceremony by thanking Charlotte’s firefighters and promising nearby residents that the new firehouse would bring lifesaving resources closer to home.
“To the residents who will be served by Firehouse 46,” he said, “we see you. We are coming closer. And we will be ready when you call.”