Station 18, the Marley Fire Station, officially opened Thursday with local fire officials, dignitaries and the community there to celebrate.

The new 11,000-square-foot building on Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard replaces the former station, located just around the corner on Summit Avenue in a residential area.

The new location makes it easier—and safer—for fire vehicles to enter and exit the station. The land was donated by the Board of Education and is located near Marley Middle School.

The design incorporates drive-through bays and is energy efficient with features like solar technology, Energy Star appliances and stormwater controls.

The county broke ground on the new fire station in October 2010. The new station replaces the former building that opened in 1940.

The new building is partially funded by a $1.9 million grant from the Department of Homeland Security's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The project came in $500,000 under budget, County Executive John R. Leopold told the audience.

"This building is badly needed and better situated for public safety," he said.

The grant application process is competitive and brought in 6,000 applications—of those 114 fire stations from across the country were chosen to receive funding, including Station 18, a representative from Homeland Security told the audience.

Local dignitaries and community leaders joined Division Chief Michael Cox and Fire Chief John Robert Ray in welcoming the guests to the dedication service held in the sparkling clean bays at the new station.