Sylvania Township: Trustees will pay $575K for land for new fire station

2/26/2004

Sylvania Township trustees have agreed to pay $575,000 for land at Monroe Street and Corey Road for a new fire station but have a number of hurdles to clear before a new station is a reality.

Purchase of the property at the southeast corner is expected to be made possible by selling land at Monroe and Whiteford Road where the fire station is now.

Dennis Boyle, chairman of the trustees, said the township administration has been considering different locations for fire stations and other township facilities after a study suggested such buildings would be more efficiently located toward the west.

Although such considerations are preliminary, Mr. Boyle said that when the Corey-Monroe property became available, “it would have been irresponsible to not buy it.

He added that property on Monroe Street is generally expensive and that there are very few lots that might become available that are large enough for a fire station.

Although the property at Monroe and Whiteford is appraised at about $350,000, officials said they anticipate selling it for something in the area of $1 million.

The township has been approached through brokers with initial discussions about the property.

Mr. Boyle said the township would advertise the property for sale and then accept bids for the land.

Among the contingencies which will be imposed on the buyer is that the property won t be available for use until the fire station has been relocated. He said it could take from 12 to 18 months to construct a station from the time the land is purchased.

Brad Peebles, township administrator, said a new fire station could be constructed for something between $1.2 million and $1.5 million.

He said that price doesn t bring many extras, “but we can have a very functional, appropriate facility.

He said that the money the township expects to receive from the sale of its property will more than cover the cost of the new land. He said the cash left over will be banked and can be used for probably as many as five years to make payments on the new station.

Mr. Peebles said the township has been talking to brokers and that he is unaware of what companies might be interested in buying the Whiteford property. He said he has been told that those interested would put the site to a commercial use.

Because the final sale will be made through a bid process, Mr. Peebles said that there is no guarantee that those who have expressed interest will be the successful bidder.

The township is discussing the possibility of a levy for capital improvements to its fire facilities, he said, although no decision has been made. It is hoped with the passage of a levy, funds will be available for payments on the new station.

The township has considered for years the need to either move or rehabilitate the fire station on Central Avenue and I-475-U.S.23.

Mr. Peebles said that station would be a focus if a levy is sought and passed, but no decisions have been made.

Although the township is in the midst of considering the relocation of fire stations and of obtaining funding, he said the opportunity to buy the Corey property couldn t be passed up.