A study by three development companies has suggested the West Central Fire Protection District should move forward with building a new fire station because both options to address the agency°®¶¹app™s facility issues would cost more than $14 million.
The fire district that covers Lake Township and unincorporated Aboite Township pursued the detailed report to look at its options after Allen County Council members said the agency needed to investigate the project°®¶¹app™s scope before it would consider approving the requested $9 million bond to fund a new station. Council members said in August that they need to see details of why a new station should be constructed.
Dozens of people, many in opposition to the project, attended the council meeting in August. Many said they didn°®¶¹app™t think there was enough transparency, and they feared how much taxes would rise to pay for the project. Some said 10629 Bass Road was not the best location to serve northern Lake Township, as U.S. 30 can be difficult to cross because of traffic.
The 106-page report that was discussed Tuesday at a fire district board meeting affirms the district°®¶¹app™s initial proposal: a new station should be built to replace one of the aging facilities, and it should be constructed at 10629 Bass Road. The study was completed by Build BW and Schneider Geospatial, both based in Indianapolis, and RQAW | DCCM of Fishers.
The project would address deficiencies at the district°®¶¹app™s two stations: the Aboite station at 11321 Aboite Center Road and the Arcola volunteer station at 11329 Railroad St.
The study examined two scenarios. First, the district could have both stations renovated and expanded. That would cost more than $8.1 million for Aboite and nearly $6 million for Arcola, for a total estimate of more than $14 million without soft costs, such as developer and design fees, and furniture, fixtures and equipment.
The second scenario includes renovating and expanding the Aboite building and building a new, $9 million station on Bass Road. The Aboite work is estimated to cost more than $6 million, and the new station would likely cost about $7.7 million before soft costs.
The renovation and new station are expected to cost more than $13 million. The new building would require an additional $1.3 million for closing fees, land acquisition and soft costs.
The renovation cost for the Aboite station is about $2 million less with the scenario that includes the new Bass Road station because the new building would alleviate some space needs, the report said. Implementing the recommendations would allow the district to °®¶¹appœenhance its operational capabilities and ensure that it meets the long term community°®¶¹app™s safety and needs effectively,°®¶¹app it added.
The Arcola station could be decommissioned or renovated for a new purpose in a future phase.
The report also examined six possible locations in Lake Township for the new station: O°®¶¹app™Day and Yellow River roads; 6130 W. Washington Center Road; 2600 Eme Road; 10101 U.S. 30; 2600 O°®¶¹app™Day Road; and the recommended 10629 Bass Road. The locations were assessed on maintaining response times, proximity to existing utility infrastructure and landowners°®¶¹app™ willingness to sell.
°®¶¹appœOther sites north of the railroad tracks may also be viable solutions at similar costs,°®¶¹app the recommendations say. °®¶¹appœMore detailed site studies would have to take place to understand the land price, feasibility of on-site well and septic systems, environmental and geotechnical investigations, and timing in order for us to recommend those sites.°®¶¹app
The study is expected to be discussed at a future County Council meeting. The report is online at .
