JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — With the conceptual plan for Fire Station 63 completed, some Johns Creek councilmembers argued it may not accommodate future needs.
The new facility, which will also house the Police Substation, is slated for a 2.11-acre property on Brumbelow Road. The design bid called for two double-depth bays, shown in a rendering that had been created by CROFT in collaboration with members from the city’s Fire, Police, Information Technology, and Recreation and Parks departments.
The new building, estimated to cost $10.3 million, will double the capacity of the existing Fire Station 63.
But, Johns Creek City Councilwoman Stacey Skinner recommended a third bay be added at the council’s work session March 4. She drew support from councilmembers Bob Erramilli and Larry DiBiasi. The discussion was intended to serve as a check-in.
“If we’re trying to make sure we’re setting us up for success and not having to go back and reverse value engineer, it would be prudent to add it now instead of later,” Skinner said.
Fire Station 63
The fire chief had originally asked for three bays, Skinner said, though the formal request included two. She said the addition, which would tack another $1.2 million to the project, could be used for additional storage to either house ambulance services, a ladder truck or police vehicles.
But, the current plan includes a storage building on-site. Interim City Manager Kimberly Greer said the city does not anticipate growth in the Newtown area, served by Fire Station 63, to require more apparatus to operate.
Growing frustrated, Councilman Chris Coughlin said proposed changes to the project were not related to any safety concern.
“Let’s move ahead, rather than putting a finger in a pot that has no rational explanation of why we would do this at this point,” Coughlin said.
Construction for Fire…
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