North Little Rock's $12M Central Fire Station Set to Open After 18 Months of Work

The new station will provide essential services to the North Little Rock community and relieve pressure on the city's busier fire stations.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The new central fire station in North Little Rock, Arkansas will soon be opening its doors after nearly a year and a half of construction. The $12 million station sits on the corner of Main Street and West 13th Street in the city's Midtown neighborhood and will be able to respond to calls in downtown North Little Rock and the Midtown area, providing relief to some of the city's busier stations.

Why it matters

The new central fire station represents a significant investment in North Little Rock's public safety infrastructure, replacing an outdated 64-year-old facility. The larger station will allow the fire department to better serve the community and respond more efficiently to emergencies in the downtown and Midtown areas.

The details

The new 1.7-acre station will be able to house up to 14 firefighters at a time and accommodate several pieces of fire equipment, including a ladder truck, rescue truck, engine company, battalion chief, and safety officer. The station also has covered parking for reserve apparatus. North Little Rock Fire Chief Gerald Tucker says the kitchen and dining room are important spaces where firefighters debrief and socialize each morning.

  • Construction on the new central fire station began in August 2024.
  • The $12 million project is expected to be completed and open in April 2026.
  • A ribbon cutting ceremony will follow shortly after the station opens.

The players

North Little Rock Fire Department

The fire department that will operate the new central fire station and provide essential emergency services to the North Little Rock community.

Gerald Tucker

The North Little Rock Fire Chief who is overseeing the opening of the new central fire station.

Joe Smith

The former mayor of North Little Rock whose mayoral term included the half-cent sales tax continuation that helped fund the new fire station.

Terry Hartwick

The former mayor of North Little Rock whose mayoral term also included the half-cent sales tax continuation that helped fund the new fire station.

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What they’re saying

“This is so much better than what we got from 64 years ago.”

— Gerald Tucker, North Little Rock Fire Chief (KATV)

“I'm sure some of our guys will be playing basketball, take their radio, and I'm sure some of those kids will want to come over and go through the fire station, and we love that.”

— Gerald Tucker, North Little Rock Fire Chief (KATV)

What’s next

The new central fire station is expected to open in April 2026, with a ribbon cutting ceremony to follow shortly after.

The takeaway

The $12 million investment in a new, modern central fire station for North Little Rock represents a significant upgrade in the city's public safety infrastructure. The larger facility will allow the fire department to better serve the community and respond more efficiently to emergencies in the downtown and Midtown areas.