Pike Township is considering a new $12 million fire station to replace the current one, which is nearing the end of its service life. The current station, located on 86th Street, is the department’s hub in the northeast part of the township and houses a firetruck, ambulance, and a foam trailer.

New Station Plans

The new station is expected to be built on a 3-4 acre property on North Payne Road, which is owned by New Hope of Indiana, an organization that helps people with disabilities. The property has direct access to Payne Road and is about 900 feet from the current station.

The department’s chief, Jeff Beam, says the current station is too old to remodel again and that a new station is needed to support firefighter health and safety. The new station will be designed in accordance with current National Fire Protection Association standards and will eliminate some operational limitations that the current station has.

Some residents have expressed concerns about the potential impact of the new station on the surrounding community, including changes in traffic and potential road construction. The department has performed an environmental study on the site and found no issues.

The next steps for the fire department will be to undertake a due diligence on the site, including two independent appraisals, a financial impact review, a property survey, environmental site assessment, and emergency access study. Once the due diligence is completed, the department will create a purchase agreement that will need to be approved by the township board.

Original reporting: Mirror Indy — read the source article.