Councilmember Tim Burgess
City Council to vote on future site of neighborhood fire station
Preferred option saves single-family homes from condemnation
SEATTLE - The City Council’s Public Safety, Human Services and Education Committee will meet on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 9:30 a.m. to vote on the future location of Fire Station 20, currently located at 13th Avenue West and West Dravus Street in Queen Anne.
At a committee meeting Tuesday, the Council was briefed on two site options. Options include expanding the station’s present location or moving to an alternative location at the intersection of 15th Avenue West and West Armour Street. Site assessments and preliminary cost comparisons were presented for the two. The technical studies revealed no serious roadblocks to the alternative location.
“The 15th Avenue West and West Armour Street site is well-situated on a major arterial with easy access to north downtown and the Queen Anne, Magnolia, and Ballard neighborhoods,” Committee Chair Tim Burgess said. “Response times to 911 calls will improve. This will be an excellent new home for our firefighters.” Burgess also noted that the size of the new site allows for a third bay which could position the station well to meet future needs of the growing area.
The new site is composed of four property parcels. Two are presently vacant and two are used by commercial businesses. Approval of the proposed site will prevent the condemnation of single-family homes to expand the current station.
Following the briefing, Burgess called for the preparation of legislation that would allow the city to acquire property at the new site.
If passed by the Committee on Oct. 7, the full Council will vote on the legislation on Oct. 12. A final decision will end a four-year long search for the station’s home.
Council meetings are cablecast live on Seattle Channel 21 and Webcast live on the City Council’s website at http://www.seattle.gov/council/. Copies of legislation, archives of previous meetings, and news releases are available on http://www.seattle.gov/council/. Follow the Council on Twitter at twitter.com/SeattleCouncil.
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