PURE GOLD VALLEY

Plans for fire station, police offices, walking track at former Montgomery Mall site move ahead

The city of Montgomery is moving forward with a plan to convert part of the old Montgomery Mall into a public safety facility that will house Fire Station No. 9, police offices and an indoor public walking track.

Deputy Mayor Jeff Downes said the whole project, which includes the $400,000 purchase price of the building and renovations, will cost about $4 million. Funding will come from the city?s 2010 bond issue.

The city already has started demolition on the interior of the 180,000-square-foot building, which is located in the far southeast corner of the mall. The building used to be the old Steve & Barry?s, Downes said.

Public Safety Director Chris Murphy said the architectural plans are almost finished, and the city will take bids on the project before Thanksgiving. He expects the facility to open by the middle of next year.

The city?s Fire Station No. 9 is currently being housed across the street in a double-wide trailer. There is one bay for the station?s one vehicle, and enough space for five firefighters. The bigger facility will allow firefighters to spread out and have some more space, Murphy said.

The renovated facility will have three bays that are deep enough to fit two fire trucks in each. Once complete, Murphy said he plans to add some firefighters from other stations to the new facility because of the high volume of calls they receive.

There will be space for about 15 firefighters, and space to expand the police offices into a full precinct in the future, Murphy said.

?They are so busy on that side of town,? Murphy said. ?We will have a little room to grow, which is a nice thing to have.?

Murphy said during the budget process, he requested funding to purchase two new pumper trucks in 2012-13. He said at least one fire truck will be added to the new station when it opens.

Murphy said there are times when the firefighters go out on a call and barely get the vehicle back in the bay before they have to go to the next call.

Montgomery Fire Lt. Darius Williams said he?s been at Station No. 9 for about 12 years.

Williams said in a 24-hour shift, firefighters go out on an average of 13 of 14 calls. They also have to train and do paperwork during their shifts. Having more staff would lighten the load on the firefighters, he said.

?Everybody is looking forward to it,? Williams said. ?Ever since I?ve been here, I?ve been at a single-company station. It?ll be new for me.?

Williams said the firefighters live in close quarters in the trailer. He said the extra space will be positive, and will help them better serve the community.

Murphy said the facility will also serve as an anchor for economic development in the area, especially for the mall itself.

Downes said the other two parts of the mall are owned by private companies.

?(Potential developers?) confidence level will increase knowing police and fire is right there,? Murphy said.

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This post was written by: Franklin Manuel

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