City breaks ground for third fire station and EOC

ASHEBORO — Asheboro Fire and Rescue celebrated the groundbreaking for its third fire station on Oct. 9. 

Chief Eddie Cockman was joined by city, state and congressional representatives for the ceremony on the corner of Zoo Parkway and Crestview Church Road.

“This project is about people we serve, to our citizens and longtime residents, and those who are choosing to make Asheboro their home,” said Mayor Joseph Trogdon, Jr. “Our firefighters put themselves on the line for us every day. They deserve the facilities and resources necessary to do their job effectively.”

Cockman, Trogdon, the building team, city council members, former council members, and former Mayors David Smith and David Jarrell turned dirt at the site of the future Emergency Operations Center.

Construction is scheduled to begin in January, with a goal to open in 2028.

Cockman gave a timeline of the fire department’s history, going all the way back to its establishment in 1911 under Chief Sulon B. Stedman. Back then, firefighters had to use hand-drawn carts to carry water.

“Today we gather to celebrate another milestone in its history,” he said. “This project represents more than a new building. It represents a continued growth of our department, our commitment to serve our citizens, and our responsibility to the needs of future generations.”

Trogdon recognized legislators who helped the city secure funding. US Rep. Richard Hudson called it an important day for Asheboro that was a long time coming.

“Asheboro is booming. A bunch of people are moving here. They want to be here,” Hudson said. “And they want to be here because of the vision of the leaders of this community, the quality of life, and this community.”

North Carolina Sen. David Craven said the fire station will not only benefit Asheboro residents, but the many visitors who come for places like the North Carolina Zoo and the nearby Cone Health ZooCity Sportsplex. “Having an emergency operations center in this area is so critical as we have made investments,” he said.

North Carolina Sen. Amy Galey also spoke and focused on the sacrifices of firefighters. “The service takes a deep toll because of the things they experience and see,” she said.

Trogdon also singled out former NC Rep. Allen McNeill, who was in attendance, among the elected officials who have secured funding over the years. “You were instrumental in getting this off the ground,” he told McNeill.

On Nov. 8, 2023, the city moved to purchase 3.25 acres on Zoo Parkway at Crestview Church Road and annexed it in April 2024. The goal at the time was for the facility to open in 2025.

The original design for a 20,000-square-foot station proved to be too costly. On Sept. 10, 2026, the city council approved hiring DR Reynolds as the construction manager at risk, having already secured Storey Project Management as the owners representative and Stewart Cooper Newell as the architectural firm.

The day before the groundbreaking, the city council discussed a possible installment financing contract to help cover funding they are still waiting on. They continued that discussion until a later council meeting.

Council member Phil Skeen gave the invocation at the groundbreaking. He invited his grandson Charlie to stand with him and talked about how firefighting ran in their family. Skeen said, “I was the last volunteer, 34 years. I still go by the fire station. These guys will attest to that. Once it’s in your heart, you don’t lose it.”

He added, “Here’s the dream! It’s finally coming.”