City eyeing land in southwest Columbia fire station, salt dome

The city of Columbia is eyeing land in the southwest part of the city for several new facilities.

The Columbia City Council is set to vote on Monday to spend $2.25 million on 9.6 acres of land at Scott Boulevard and Route KK. The land owned by Beacon Street Properties is southwest of the roundabout at the two roads, across the street from the new Beulah Ralph Elementary School.

The city would use the land to construct a new fire station, salt storage center, electric storage yard, water tower and possible recycling center, according to a city memo on the purchase.

Columbia Fire Department leaders have long wanted a new station in southwest Columbia, where several neighborhoods have been constructed along Scott Boulevard and Route K. The nearest fire station to the area currently is Fire Station No. 6, located at 3112 Chapel Hill Road. The station is nearly 3.5 miles from the first homes in the Thornbrook neighborhood on Scott Boulevard.

The land purchase would be more expensive per acre than when the city bought land for a north side police station. The city spent $1.5 million to buy 8.5 acres of land at Rangeline Street and International Drive, spending 176,470 per acre. If approved, the city will spend $234,375 per acre in southwest Columbia.