A story-high mound of dirt beside a yawning hole in the ground are sure signs of progress: Construction has begun on a Public Safety Center in Greenville on State Route 89.
The 11,200-square-foot building will house the Greenville unit of the Indian Valley Fire Department, the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office substation and ambulance service quarters. All were lost in the 2021 Dixie Fire.
Among the amenities planned for the new building are facilities to accommodate emergency shelter for the community, said Charles Slagter, utility manager for the Indian Valley Community Services District.
“This building is a lot more than just a fire station,” Slagter said.
Dig It Construction Inc., of Chester, began preparing the ground for a foundation in October. Now, workers are digging and leveling the site for a concrete pad, which could be poured this fall, Slagter said.
The IVCSD hired NST Engineering to manage construction of the $6 million Public Safety Center, said Jaime Little, who just signed a six-month contract as the district’s general manager. Funding includes $1.5 million in Plumas County insurance funds. The rest of the funding is under discussion, she said.
The new safety center will include three drive-through bays for fire trucks, according to the plans announced in October 2024. In addition to crew quarters for ambulance staff, it will house a 50-person conference room and kitchen, and a self-contained suite for Plumas County Sheriff’s Office personnel.
During emergencies, the building will serve as a civic center, providing shelter and facilities to cook meals for the community, Slagter said.
The Public Safety Center represents real progress toward renewing a postfire Greenville, he said: “I hope it will encourage rebuilding this community.”