Future of Fire Station #3 up in the air - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Future of Fire Station #3 up in the air

One by one, neighbors living near the fire station let city leaders know how they felt about moving the station to Jamie Farr Park, one mile north of where it is now.  Several people spoke out against the move at Tuesdays committee meeting.

"I wish we could work together as a community," Terry Glazer with United North said.

And its because of his concerns and many other that council isn't moving forward just yet.

Councilwoman Paula Hicks-Hudson said, "do you hurry up and make a hasty decision that you may regret or do you make one that is done efficiently or effectively?  I think that is what we're looking at."

Right now, the building at Erie and Bush sits empty.  Pictures from inside tell the story, significant cracks in the floors and walls and all around energy inefficiency.

"I can tell you by being down in that basement, there is a lot to be done," Toledo Fire Chief Luis Santiago said.

If the city opts for new construction, it would cost $3.5 million and take nearly 2 years.  Chief Santiago says the cost to repair the floor alone is around $200,000, and that begs the question is it worth it?

"To put that kind of money to repair that floor, and the rest of the building is severely compromised, I don't know," he said.

Santiago would like to see a new station, but before making the move everyone wants more information.

The city council committee and neighbors plan to meet November 12 at 6 p.m. at the Friendship Center to talk everything out.