BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (WOOD) — The first of several community conversations was held to discuss a proposal that would bring major changes to the Battle Creek Fire Department.
The meeting was held at Station 1 on Wednesday. Plans were announced to build a new Station 2 near where the current station stands on Washington Avenue. Station 3 on Cliff Street will be permanently closed and crews will be consolidated at Station 1 on East Michigan Avenue.
Stations 2 and 3 were both built in the early 1900s. For many years, size has been an issue with equipment being able to fit into smaller bays than modern firefighting equipment. The fire chief said the volume and types of calls have changed and the historic building is no longer suitable as a modern fire department building.
In the first of several meetings, City Administrator Rebecca Fleury, Fire Chief Bill Beatty and an architect broke down the station's cost and showed images for residents. People were able to provide feedback on what they wanted from the fire department.
“While many consider these city buildings, they are also the homes of firefighters. So not only have the dynamics, technology, and theory behind firefighter safety and health changed, but the community Dynamics and incident response have changed,” said Battle Creek Fire Department Chief Bill Beatty. “Firefighter safety and health is a big issue and that is a priority for us. We believe the city is currently in the best position to take this on and execute these projects. ”
Part of the proposal includes updating all of the city's stations at an estimated cost of $20 million to $25 million, for which the city would issue general obligation bonds.
The proposal must be approved by the City Commission.
The city will hold more meetings The project will be described at the following times and locations:
- April 27, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Station 2, 145 N. Washington Ave.
- May 1, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Station 3, 222 Cliff St.
- May 6th, 6pm to 8pm | Station 4, 8 S. 20th St.
- June 1, 1:30pm to 3:30pm | Station 5, 1170 W. Michigan Ave.
- June 3, 6:00pm to 8:00pm | Station 6, 2401 Capital Ave. SW.
Questions can be directed to the fire department at 269.966.3519 or by email. publicinput@battlecreekmi.gov.
— News 8's Rachel Van Gilder contributed to this report.
