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Council approves purchase of property next to Station 1 for fire-marshal offices
Summary
The council approved buying two adjoining lots and building with office and garage space near Station 1 to house the fire prevention division and provide public meeting room space; staff cited billboard lease revenue as partial payback.
The council approved the purchase of two lots at 575/595 North Washington Street to relocate the fire prevention division and provide additional office and public meeting space.
Chief Lorenz said the property includes office space, a garage and a conference area that would let the fire marshal staff meet with architects, developers and contractors away from the cramped Station 1. He described Station 1 as built in 1979 with limited interior expansion options and said the new property would allow room for an additional marshal and for people on modified duty.
Lorenz told the council the parcels include three billboards under a long-term lease that generated about $14,200 in February 2025 and, with 28 years left on the lease, have potential to produce approximately $600,000 over that remaining term.
Council member Salski asked whether the building included an open shop; Lorenz confirmed a large heated garage and said the city planned initially to move four vehicles there. Salski also asked about a small strip of property between the garage and the city parcel; staff described it as a utility easement and said the city does not own that small stretch.
A motion to approve the purchase was moved by Kosowski and seconded by Berg. The motion carried unanimously.
