New Hampstead Public Safety Facility

City of Savannah officials have broken ground on the New Hampstead West Modular Public Safety Facility, a combined fire station and police substation aimed at improving emergency services in the rapidly growing New Hampstead area near Bloomingdale (News Flash • City Leaders to Break Ground on New Hampstead P). The groundbreaking ceremony took place on February 7, 2025, marking the start of construction on the new complex at 3002 Highgate Boulevard (just off Little Neck Road south of I-16) (News Flash • City Leaders to Break Ground on New Hampstead P) (Modular safety facility to boost services in western Savannah). This facility is designed to expand police and fire coverage to western Chatham County neighborhoods that have seen a surge in new homes and residents (News Flash • City Leaders to Break Ground on New Hampstead P).

Integrated Fire Station and Police Substation

The New Hampstead West facility will house both a fully functioning fire station and a police substation on currently undeveloped city land (News Flash • City Leaders to Break Ground on New Hampstead P). The fire station component includes a 60-foot long permanent metal bay building capable of sheltering up to two large fire engines (fire trucks) and contains living quarters for a crew of Savannah Fire Department firefighters (Modular safety facility to boost services in western Savannah). “Everything that works out of a complete regular fire station will be here,” explained Leif Blomberg, the project manager (Modular safety facility to boost services in western Savannah), indicating that although the buildings are modular, they will provide all essential facilities needed for firefighters on duty.

On the law enforcement side, the facility will serve as a satellite police operations base for the Savannah Police Department (Agenda Plus – November 26, 2024, City Council Regular Meeting). While the exact number of officers to be assigned has not been publicly specified, the substation will give police a local hub in the New Hampstead area from which to patrol and respond. Savannah Police Chief Lenny Gunther noted that having officers stationed closer to this community will “bring a sense of security and safety” for residents, as officers will be more visible and able to respond more efficiently in the western reaches of the city (Modular safety facility to boost services in western Savannah). In short, the co-located substation will allow Savannah Police units to operate in the area full-time, rather than deploying from farther precincts.

Service Area and Community Impact

Once completed, this public safety complex will significantly improve emergency response coverage for New Hampstead and surrounding neighborhoods on Savannah’s western edge. The New Hampstead development is a fast-growing community – hundreds of new residents are expected to move into the area as new housing is built (Modular safety facility to boost services in western Savannah). District 5 Alderman (and Mayor Pro Tem) Dr. Estella Shabazz, who represents the area, highlighted that the new fire station’s presence will not only enhance safety but also benefit homeowners financially. “With the hundreds of residents that will be moving out to this area, the level of service and standard of our fire department especially, it is going to help them to lower their insurance,” Shabazz said during the groundbreaking, referring to improved fire protection ratings for the community (Modular safety facility to boost services in western Savannah).

City officials have emphasized that the New Hampstead facility is a temporary but critical solution while planning continues for a permanent public safety complex in the future (News Flash • City Leaders to Break Ground on New Hampstead P). The modular design means the buildings can be relocated or repurposed once a larger, brick-and-mortar station is built, but in the meantime the community will benefit from a fully staffed fire company and police substation right in their vicinity (News Flash • City Leaders to Break Ground on New Hampstead P). “Our west population is growing rapidly, and we want to serve everyone within our city efficiently and effectively,” Chief Gunther said, underscoring Savannah’s commitment to extending services as the city expands westward (Modular safety facility to boost services in western Savannah). Residents of New Hampstead and nearby areas can expect significantly shorter response times for 911 calls, improved fire protection coverage, and a daily police presence that was not possible before.

Project Details: Timeline, Cost and Funding

The Savannah City Council approved the construction of the New Hampstead West Public Safety Facility in late 2024, clearing the way for this much-needed project (News Flash • City Leaders to Break Ground on New Hampstead P). At the November 26, 2024 meeting, Council awarded a $3.59 million construction contract to Johnson-Laux Construction LLC (News Flash • City Leaders to Break Ground on New Hampstead P). According to the city, about $2.3 million of that budget is devoted to permanent infrastructure – such as the apparatus bay structure, a stand-by emergency generator, parking areas, and a stormwater retention pond – which will remain in place for future use when a permanent station is built (News Flash • City Leaders to Break Ground on New Hampstead P). The project is being funded through the City of Savannah’s capital program, as part of its commitment to public safety improvements. No outside grants or partnerships were announced for construction; the investment is coming from city resources as approved in the FY2025 budget and council vote (News Flash • City Leaders to Break Ground on New Hampstead P).

Construction is moving forward on a fast track. Savannah officials indicated the modular facility should be completed by summer 2025, allowing the fire and police units to begin operating out of the New Hampstead site shortly thereafter (Modular safety facility to boost services in western Savannah). Until the permanent brick-and-mortar public safety building is realized in the coming years, this modular complex will fill the gap in coverage. City leaders have lauded the project as a big step for public safety on Savannah’s western frontier. “This is a crucial project designed to keep up with the city’s rapid growth,” noted Savannah Mayor Van Johnson at the groundbreaking event (Ground News) (Ground News), stressing that as new subdivisions emerge in west Chatham, the city is proactively putting services in place. The City’s official news release likewise stated that the facility will provide adequate fire and police service delivery to the area while awaiting future permanent facilities (News Flash • City Leaders to Break Ground on New Hampstead P).

Sources:

• City of Savannah Press Release, “City Leaders to Break Ground on New Hampstead Public Safety Facility,” Jan. 31, 2025 (News Flash • City Leaders to Break Ground on New Hampstead P) (News Flash • City Leaders to Break Ground on New Hampstead P).

• WJCL News, “Modular safety facility to boost services in western Savannah,” Feb. 7, 2025 (coverage of groundbreaking event) (Modular safety facility to boost services in western Savannah) (Modular safety facility to boost services in western Savannah).

• Savannah City Council Meeting Minutes, Nov. 26, 2024 (Item #33: New Hampstead West Public Safety Facility approval) (Agenda Plus – November 26, 2024, City Council Regular Meeting) (Agenda Plus – November 26, 2024, City Council Regular Meeting).

• Statements from District 5 Alderwoman Dr. Estella Shabazz and Savannah Police Chief Lenny Gunther at groundbreaking ceremony (Modular safety facility to boost services in western Savannah) (Modular safety facility to boost services in western Savannah).