Grand Blanc Township's Fire Station Was Squeezed Into Township Hall. The New One on Dort Highway Had Its Ribbon Cutting June 8.

By Carrie Thompson, Strategic Marketing Real Estate Agent, eXp Realty, Grand Blanc, MI

Grand Blanc Township completed a new combined Fire Station No. 1 and Department of Public Works headquarters at 5272 S. Dort Highway in June 2026, a 60,000-square-foot building reported at $24 million that moves township firefighters out of space attached to the township's main offices at 5371 S. Saginaw St. (MLive via FireRescue1, June 9, 2026). The township held an open house and ribbon-cutting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 8 (MLive via Fire Apparatus Magazine, June 9, 2026).

The old fire station was a temporary fix inside the township hall

The previous Fire Station No. 1 was connected to the township's main offices on South Saginaw Street, and that arrangement created safety challenges because of limited space. The Department of Public Works had also outgrown its quarters (MLive via FireRescue1, June 9, 2026).

Township Supervisor Scott Bennett explained how that happened when the project broke ground. "The place where our firefighters are today is a temporary space," he said. He told WNEM that when the city formed its own fire department, the township had "about 60 days to move our firefighters into our township hall. And so, really, it's not an ideal situation" (WNEM, October 14, 2024). The township told WNEM the new building would create ample space for daily operations and "gear that is carrying carcinogens" (WNEM, October 14, 2024).

Planning for a new building began in 2019 and was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic (MLive via FireRescue1, June 9, 2026). WNEM also listed labor costs and supply chain issues among the delays (WNEM, October 14, 2024).

Ground was broken in October 2024 behind the police headquarters

The township held its groundbreaking on a Monday in mid-October 2024. ABC12 described the site as near Dort Highway and Saginaw Road, behind the township police headquarters (ABC12, October 15, 2024). "This is actually to help our residents. It is really an investment in our community," Bennett said that day (ABC12, October 15, 2024).

Bennett also said the township had worked to bring the price down. "I think we're going to have a quality facility. But yet, it isn't nearly what the initial costs were that we were getting back," he told WNEM (WNEM, October 14, 2024).

In January 2026, the Genesee County View reported the project was ahead of schedule, with employees possibly moving in as early as February (Genesee County View, January 8, 2026).

The building pairs a fire station with a public works yard

The architect, BKV Group, lists the total building at 60,070 square feet, with 17,850 square feet of that for the fire station (BKV Group project page). The fire side has four double-deep drive-through bays, six bunks, apparatus support spaces, and fire headquarters offices, along with a physical conditioning room township staff can use (BKV Group project page).

The public works side includes offices, shops, material storage, cold storage, and a large vehicle storage building with a drive-through truck wash. The fleet garage is a pre-engineered metal building, while the fire station was built conventionally (BKV Group project page). BKV says the site was formerly a mini-golf and go-cart establishment, that it has "extensive wetlands and topography issues that add to the project cost," and that it was designed to accommodate large turning-radius vehicles for both departments (BKV Group project page).

ABC12 reported that the building has dedicated areas for equipment storage, firefighter decontamination, training and daily operations, designed to "help reduce exposure to contaminants while improving overall functionality" (ABC12, June 9, 2026). Fire Chief Jamie Jent said the new building is a promise to protect and serve the residents of Grand Blanc Township (ABC12, June 9, 2026).

The price depends on which number you read

MLive reported the project at $24 million (MLive via FireRescue1, June 9, 2026), and at the 2024 groundbreaking Bennett told WNEM, "It's about a $24 million project between the fire department and DPW" (WNEM, October 14, 2024). The architect's project page lists a total cost of $21.5 million (BKV Group project page). Neither source explains the gap, and the two figures may not measure the same scope.

In MLive's report on the opening, Bennett said the facility "will serve as a vital hub for safety, wellbeing and public service for Grand Blanc Township residents" and would "house the teams, and the equipment needed to keep our residents safe" (MLive via FireRescue1, June 9, 2026).

Staffing is the next conversation

The building came with a staffing debate. When the township board approved its 2026 budget in December 2025, it added one full-time firefighter position. Chief Jent had asked for four full-time positions to start in April 2026, timed to the new station (ABC12, December 11, 2025). The board budgeted for 40 part-time firefighters, with 28 of those spots filled at the time, and Trustee Sarah Hugo cast the only no vote on the budget (ABC12, December 11, 2025).

Township Superintendent Dennis Liimatta said in January that the township would look at service delivery models, cross-training, and a possible regional fire authority. "Our goal isn't just to create more full-time firefighter positions," he said. "Our goal is to improve outcomes" (Genesee County View, January 8, 2026).

What buyers and sellers in Grand Blanc Township should check

If you are buying in Grand Blanc Township, ask your insurance agent which fire station serves the address and how they rate the property's fire protection, since that can affect a homeowner's quote. Remember the City of Grand Blanc runs its own fire department, so a Grand Blanc mailing address does not tell you which department responds. If you are selling, the new station and DPW yard are now part of the Dort Highway and Saginaw Road landscape, so know how close your home sits to them and be ready to answer questions about traffic and sirens honestly.

Every listing I take gets professional photos and video, room sizes, targeted digital ads, and targeted buyer avatars. Call or text Carrie Thompson at (810) 893-3269.

About Carrie Thompson

Carrie Thompson, "Your Favorite Property Girl," is a Strategic Marketing Real Estate Agent (REALTOR®) with eXp Realty serving Grand Blanc and Genesee County, Michigan, including Grand Blanc Township, the City of Grand Blanc, Burton, Davison, and Fenton. Michigan license 6501338662. Call or text (810) 893-3269.