The Charlotte Court House Volunteer Fire Department’s new fire house is progressing toward a finish date, which, according to Chris Russell, the department’s chief, could be the end of this year.

Russell said the 7,200-sq. ft. structure will house room for eight fire trucks, which would allow for room to grow.

The building will include a training classroom and radio room.

The department currently has four trucks at its existing firehouse, located at 350 George Washington Highway.

Russell said the new facility would expand the size and number of the doors for the fire trucks, in addition to more room.

“(The existing firehouse) was built originally as a church, and it doesn’t serve our purpose anymore,” Russell said. “The trucks only clear the top by a couple of inches, and we don’t have any room to grow. With this new building, we will.”

Russell said the project is in full swing.

The steel beams for the building are in the process of being erected.

Construction on the exterior and main interior of the building is to wrap up by the end of this year.

To save as much money on labor as possible, Russell noted, the department will work on much of the interior, including offices and other rooms, on their own time.

The firehouse will be moved to 608 David Bruce Ave., located across the street from Randolph-Henry High School.

“It’s going to be great,” Russell said. “The building, right now, only has two doors and four trucks, so there’s two trucks coming out of each door.”

He said the size and functionality of “the new building will be a big step for this department.”

Russell came into his position after the passing of Chief Ed Stanley. Stanley, who died Dec. 3 at 84-years-old, was the longest serving fire chief in Virginia, having served 46 years.