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Council weighs whether to sell city-owned 5th Street/Bridal Avenue parcel previously eyed for a fire station
Summary
Councilors and the fire chief discussed a city-owned parcel at 5th Street and Bridal Avenue that had been identified in a prior station study for a new fire station; councilors asked for more analysis on timing, alternatives and whether to hold or sell the parcel.
Councilor Klein raised why the city still holds a parcel on 5th Street and Bridal Avenue that was once identified for a new fire station, citing a realtor's estimate of potential market value. The council and staff discussed the parcel's history: it had been set aside for a new fire station in an earlier station-study plan but that construction was not pursued when costs rose.
Lewiston Fire Chief Greg Reitmeier told the council the 2020 station study identifies coverage gaps and that the city's adopted plan does not currently consider the existing station adequate. Reitmeier said no current plan had been finalized to build at the 5th Street site and cautioned that city-owned land is an asset the city can use in the future; he urged the council to consult the station study before disposing of the parcel.
Councilors debated the timing of sale versus holding the land for a future capital project. Some favored selling and reinvesting funds to increase buying power when a suitable future site becomes available; others urged a cautious approach so the city would not lack property if and when the station project returns to the capital plan.
No motion to sell or auction the property was made; councilors asked staff to continue evaluating options and to return with more analysis on timing, valuations and implications for future capital planning.
