JENNINGS — Plans for Jeff Davis Parish Fire District 4 to build a fire station in the Andrus Cove area are taking shape.

The Jeff Davis Parish Police Jury on Wednesday awarded a $520,600 contract to Trahan Construction of Lake Arthur, which offered the lowest bid, said Fire Chief Jared Manuel.

“It has taken us four years — from purchase of the property, going through all the architect and bid process — to get to this point,” Manuel said.

The station will be built on part of a seven-acre site on the east side of La. 26, just south of La. 102. Additional land will be used for future growth, including plans for an outside training area, he said.

Construction is expected to begin within a month and take up to 240 days to complete.

“This will definitely help us maintain our Property Insurance Association of Louisiana Class 4 fire rating,” Manuel said. A new rating inspection will take place in 2019.

The district serves 1,700 people in the unincorporated areas just north of Lake Arthur.

Plans for the project include a nearly 5,300-square-foot station with four truck bays, a training room and office space.

The current station, which is 1,200 square feet and has two truck bays, is outdated. It was built in 1980 on Martin Roy Road.

The costs for the land and the station will be paid for with money already in the district’s budget. A loan from the state Bond Commission will help complete construction.