Council hears update on downtown 'roundabout' fire station study and redevelopment timeline

The Woodland City Council received an update April 21 on a downtown revitalization effort focused on the historic roundabout fire station and adjacent downtown properties.

Mayor Corina Dinehart reported that city representatives, the Port of Woodland, a consultant team and community stakeholders visited the former fire station with structural and architecture teams. The consultant noted the building’s original fire-bay construction provides stronger structural capacity than some other buildings and suggested the bays could be used for community events or interim rentals while a longer-term plan is developed.

The consultant team and partners discussed a revenue model and uses intended to bring foot traffic back to downtown rather than more office space. Council members said the team is on a relatively quick schedule and that a set of options and a recommended plan should be ready by September or the first of October for council consideration and presentation before elections.

Council staff also said the city will inventory and dispose of excess furniture and equipment from the building following RCW procedures; some items may be moved to other city facilities while surplus items will be processed for sale or disposal.

Why it matters: redevelopment of the landmark fire station is intended to return activity to the downtown core and could generate rental revenue or community programming; the consultant’s structural observations may enable interim community uses while a final plan is developed.

No formal council vote was recorded on the redevelopment study at this meeting; council will receive a consultant presentation later in the year.