Sylvania trustees to restart search for Fire Station No. 1 site

4/6/2011
BY DAVID PATCH
BLADE STAFF WRITER

Sylvania Township's quest for a site for a new Fire Station No. 1 is going back to the starting line.

After closed-door discussion last Thursday, trustees decided to put out a "request for proposals," inviting anyone who has suitable property to make an offer.

"We're going to advertise as soon as possible," said trustee Kevin Haddad, predicting that the response deadline would be around May 15. "We're going to see what's out there."

Township Administrator John Zeitler said he expects some sites considered in past deliberations to come up, but "there could be new proposals too."

Properties must have at least one acre, Mr. Zeitler said, and the township prefers locations within Sylvania city. Fire officials have also stated a preference for sites that would accommodate drive-through operations, rather than requiring fire trucks to back into the garage after runs.

Backing in is among the problems with existing Fire Station No. 1, on Monroe Street just west of Main Street in downtown Sylvania.

In urging township officials to pursue alternative sites, fire officials have said the heavy traffic and poor sight lines on Monroe also create a hazard for staff exiting or entering the station in their personal vehicles.

But the closest alternative site announced so far, at Monroe and Parkwood Boulevard, attracted vigorous opposition from neighbors, who said siren noise would severely disrupt a residential neighborhood.

Station No. 1 is to be the last of three township fire stations to be replaced as part of a capital campaign funded by a levy city.

A new Station No. 3 opened last year on Whiteford Road a block north of the previous location at Whiteford and Monroe, and a new Station No. 2 is nearly finished on McCord Road, just around the corner from the existing Station 2 on Central Avenue.

Work on the $1.48 million Station 2 was well ahead of schedule in November but was slowed somewhat by a harsh winter, with the pouring of concrete for the station's front apron delayed in particular.

Mr. Zeitler said the township obtained a temporary occupancy permit for the building last week and should start moving firefighters and apparatus in by the second half of April.