The public had a chance to get a glimpse inside a brand new fire station on Thursday.

Both double bays doors were opened and four fire trucks were parked outside as the party got started at Station 6.

“I’ve been watching this baby since the dirt was turned over,” Port Arthur Mayor Deloris “Bobbie” Prince said from inside the pristine garage area.

The new station is located at Ninth Avenue and Texas 73 and replaces the former Station 6 which was located at Memorial Boulevard and 32nd Street.

Members of the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce, Port Arthur City Council, current and former firefighters with the city and even fire officials with neighboring cities attended the event.

City Manager Steve Fitzgibbons called the new station a “beautiful facility.”

“It’s large and functional and in the right location,” Fitzgibbons said. “And it came in under budget.”

The construction of the new station was part of a $3 million bond for public safety facilities and part of the larger $17 million bond passed in the November 2007 election.

A large screen TV, recliner chairs and a marble top table adorn one section inside the living quarters with a state-of-the-art kitchen nearby. The station also features sleeping quarters and an exercise room and other amenities.

The construction of the new station is part of the overall fire station relocation plan.

Station 6’s new location covers exactly the distance needed on the city’s map. Each station covers roughly covers a two-mile radius.

The Trevino Group Inc. was the contractor on the project.

Station 4 in Sabine Pass was totally destroyed during Hurricane Ike and its firefighters are currently operating out of a mobile trailer, Port Arthur Fire Chief Larry Richard said.

Assistant City Manager Rebecca Underhill said the city has received about 11 proposals for work on the facility.

mmeaux@panews.com