ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Asheville residents are invited to weigh in on plans to replace Fire Station 9 in Oakley during a public open house later this month.
The drop-in event will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, at the Murphy-Oakley Community Center, 749 Fairview Road.
Attendees will have a chance to meet the project team, review design concepts and share feedback on architectural elements. City officials said activities for children and light refreshments will be available, and parking will be provided at the community center.
Those unable to attend can still participate by signing up for project updates and online input opportunities through the city’s website.
The new Fire Station 9 will be part of a larger effort to modernize Oakley’s public safety facilities. The project marks the first phase of the Oakley Public Safety Complex, which aims to bring fire and police operations up to current standards.
The first phase includes replacing the current Fire Station 9 at 711 Fairview Road, which now houses the Asheville Police Department’s Oakley Resource Center. In the second phase, the existing fire station at the Murphy-Oakley Community Center will be renovated to become the East Asheville Police Resource Center, effectively swapping locations for the two departments.
According to the city, the design phase will continue through 2026, with construction expected to wrap up in 2028.
A 2023 Comprehensive Facility Study identified the Oakley complex as a top priority for capital investment, and the project will be funded through the 2024 general obligation bond. City officials say the upgrades will strengthen emergency response capabilities and improve public safety for the Oakley community and the wider Asheville area.