Council authorizes pursuit of Beresford Run parcel for new Fire Station 20

Charleston City Council on March 11 authorized staff to pursue acquisition of a portion of a 22-acre parcel along Clements Ferry Road (near Beresford Run) as the preferred site for a new permanent Fire Station 20.

City planning and fire department staff presented a site-selection briefing that said the current leased Fire Station 20 (a 3,000-square-foot metal building on about 0.5 acre) has outlived its useful life and the lease expires at the end of 2026. Staff described criteria for a replacement site: roughly 2.25-mile station spacing to optimize response coverage, proximity (ideally within a quarter mile) to major arteries such as Clements Ferry Road, at least 3 acres of developable, high ground to allow a three-bay station and parking, and avoidance of FEMA AE flood zones when possible.

Staff identified four candidate properties. The council directed staff to begin acquisition discussions on a 22-acre property currently leased for truck storage, proposing to use the top 3 acres of the parcel (on higher ground) for a three-bay station while allowing the trucking business to remain on the lower portion under negotiated terms or easements. Staff said they could configure a three-bay station with adequate parking on the top 3 acres and that a new signalized intersection (Beresford Run/Clements Ferry) is anticipated to improve site access. Staff asked for authority to negotiate purchase and, if necessary, use condemnation to acquire the parcel; council approved the motion unanimously.

Staff presented broker-price guidance for other candidate sites discussed earlier in committee: an Enterprise Drive parcel estimated roughly $900,000 to $1.1 million per acre (approximately $3.2M to $3.9M total for the site discussed) and two La Grande Avenue parcels in Berkeley County estimated about $1.6M to $2.0M per acre (roughly $8.9M to $11.4M combined). Those figures were presented as broker-price opinions and not firm offers. The Beresford Run site was presented as the preferred alternative because it offers adequate high-ground acreage and potential for a signalized access point.

At the council meeting a motion to pursue the Beresford Run parcel and begin acquisition discussions (including condemnation authority if necessary) was made, seconded and approved. The council did not vote on a final purchase price at this meeting; staff will return with acquisition recommendations and any negotiation outcomes.

Staff noted floodplain, access and signalization are key constraints; the selected portion intentionally targets the higher-ground area to reduce flood risk. Council members applauded staff for the presentation and expressed support for advancing negotiations.

Next steps: staff will continue negotiations with the property owner, return to council with proposed purchase terms and any required easement language, and coordinate with traffic and stormwater staff on access/signalization and stormwater design.