JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) – A new fire station is coming to Johns Island thanks to a county property agreement from 2009.
Charleston County leaders came to an agreement with developers Kiawah River Investment, LLC, and Ocean Boulevard Properties, L.P., for more than 1,400 acres of property.
The soon-to-be Kiawah River community is bringing more than 1,200 homes, along with commercial spaces and storage.
A portion of that agreement will lease three highland acres of land to Charleston County for 99 years.
St. John’s Fire District leaders expect construction to begin on a new station by the summer of 2026.
Plans detail an around 11,000 square foot station along Kiawah River Drive. Around eight to 10 fire personnel will operate out of the facility.
St. John’s Fire District Ryan Kunitzer says firefighters will have a new space to train for service calls as well as a place to decompress during their 24/48 hour shifts.
“We plan to have a large training room so we can do things like CPR classes,” Kunitzer says. “It’s going to have a state-of-the-art workout room so that our firefighters can maintain their health and wellness. And then also, a great living area as well, too, so that our firefighters can have some downtime between incidents.”
Kunitzer says the overall goal for the new facility is to meet the demand and needs of the growing community.
“In areas where there is growth, and from the size of the buildings, and how many buildings as well, so that we have an effective response force,” Kunitzer says. “It’s not just this station, it’s other stations around it as well that, if there is a fire, that we can meet the needs of what is happening on that scene.”
Charleston County District 8 Councilman Joe Boykin says the property will become a hub for public safety.
“We’re also going to build a new EMS station that will include a small sheriff’s office substation,” Boykin says. “So they will all be co-located right on the same property, and it will be a very strategic area for which they can respond and cover the lower part of Johns Island and also support Kiawah and Seabrook.”
Leaders are hoping for the completed fire facility in 2027.