Auburn Saves Taxpayers $3 Million on Its New Fire Headquarters

When Auburn needed a new fire headquarters, the town asked a simple question: How do we build it without costing taxpayers more than we have to?

In May 2025, voters overwhelmingly approved a $31 million project for a modern headquarters on Prospect Street. The new building replaces the West Street station, while the current headquarters on Auburn Street stays open as the new Station 2, so the town keeps its coverage and gains a facility built for today's needs. It will serve a department of 58 full-time firefighters.

Instead of borrowing the full amount, the town is putting $8 million from cash reserves toward the project, cutting borrowing to $23 million and saving taxpayers $3 million in interest. The town also handled early site work itself to reduce what the contractor would charge and trimmed the design from 30,400 to 27,963 square feet.

Auburn broke ground this summer, and the new headquarters is scheduled to open in December 2027.

That's what responsible spending looks like: stronger public safety, delivered with an eye on every dollar.

Mass Priorities champions public dollars spent on the things residents use every day: public safety, safe roads, and clean water.