UPDATE: Jefferson City Council approves construction plans for new fire station
UPDATE: The Jefferson City Council unanimously approved plans for construction to start on a new Fire Station #2.
“To really, truly fix some of the core issues with the facility we’d have to almost start over from scratch,” said Chief Matt Schofield after the vote.
Council members gave the green light for Curtiss-Manes-Schulte, Inc. to build the nearly 11,000 square foot facility on Robinson Drive. It will replace the 48-year-old, 5,000 square foot station located in the 2400 block of East McCarty Street.
“I remember when they were actually built, and a lot of things have changed,” said Ward 5 council member Mark Schreiber.
The new building is expected to cost $2,972,274, with $1,639,653 coming from the city’s Sales Tax G fund.
“The money has been set aside and approved in the budget process, and, of course, we always have to be concerned about those kinds of things, but it’s kind of a balancing act between the needs of the fire department and the needs of the police department.”
Schofield said the new station will be easier for firetrucks to pull in and out of. The facility will also have a training room, which Schofield said could be used for public meetings.
A room inside the station will also be designated as a substation for the police department.
“We felt like it was a great opportunity to get dual use out of the facility and just to make it as efficient as possible,” Schofield said.
It’s unclear exactly when construction will start. Schofield said the department hopes to be moved into the new station #2 by early 2019.
Schofield said the old fire station will be put up for the sale. He said money from the sale would likely go back into the city’s general fund.
ORIGINAL: City Council members are expected to vote on a nearly $3 million dollar contract agreement to build a new fire station at Monday night’s meeting.
The department’s current Fire Station #2 located in the 2400 block of East McCarty Street is more than 40 years old.
Chief Matt Schofield previously told ABC 17 News the fire station’s design is outdated and isn’t in the best location.
Last year, the city purchased land on nearby Robinson Drive to build the new station, which is expected to cost $2,972,274.
ABC 17 News will continue to update this story after the city council meeting.
