LIBERTY Township contemplates using land gift for a new fire station

The old buildings would be closed to allow for a centralized consolidation.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
LIBERTY -- Township officials are hoping to build upon the gift of one generous township resident.
About 1.16 acres at 114 E. Liberty St. have been donated to the township by Mr. and Mrs. Raxit Shah. There is a 9,120 square-foot building on the land.
The property has been appraised at $800,000.
According to Township Administrator Patrick J. Ungaro, township officials plan to tear down the building. He said the site is ideal for a central township fire station.
Tearing the building down, Ungaro said, will cost about $10,000. Building the new station, he said, would cost between $1 million and $2 million, but officials hope the state will kick in some funds for the station.
Financial situation
According to Ungaro, the state has grants available for the building of new fire stations, but the local community will have to find matching funds. He said the value of the donated property could serve as the needed matching funds for the total project. The land without the building is still worth about $500,000, he said.
As for the township's two current fire stations on Belmont and Longanway, Ungaro said they would be closed and possibly sold if the new station is built. He said some people have already shown an interest in buying the buildings.
Ungaro said the township can save money by closing the two buildings and consolidating into one central facility. The utility cost, he said, would be the major savings.
"The growth in the township is at a place where we would be right at the center of it. So the response times and savings are critical," he said. "We as a township are putting ourselves in a good position for the future."