Binghamton broke ground on a new, $8.45 million downtown fire station.

The new public safety facility will replace a former station that was closed due to structural concerns. That fire house served the community for more than 50 years, and would have cost $3 million to renovate, so officials chose to build new construction.

The new facility, to be built at 235 Court St., will have five vehicle bays, bunk areas for firefighters, a kitchen, a dining area and a decontamination room, which can prevent hazardous toxins from spreading throughout the facility.

"This is the first major investment in fire department facilities in five decades, and it will literally transform the city for decades to come," Mayor Richard David said.