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Fire chief presents Harry Chapin site, $1.8M price for proposed Station 14 relocation
Summary
Fire Chief Tracy McLean told Fort Myers council the Harry Chapin parcel (about 1.9 acres on Martin Luther King Blvd.) is the preferred Station 14 relocation; staff negotiated a $1.8 million turnkey price with entitlements and asked council for permission to advertise the purchase next meeting.
Fire Chief Tracy McLean briefed the council on a proposed relocation of Fire Station 14 to a 1.9-acre portion of the Harry Chapin property near Martin Luther King Boulevard and Lehi Way, saying the move would improve response times for growing areas east of I‑75 and avoid ongoing maintenance costs at the current station. "We have a negotiated price at 1.8 mil, for the 1.9, and this is gonna be fully entitled," McLean said, describing a plan in which the seller would complete land clearing, water-management, road access and fill up to about 21 feet before transfer.
Councilmembers asked about flood risk, private-road access and tax‑roll impacts. Council member Streets raised concerns about historic flooding in the corridor and stormwater drainage; McLean said modern stations are built higher and the proposed build would be elevated to address flood risk. Council member Gerson asked whether the city should buy property that had sold previously at a lower price and remarked on the tax consequences of removing a parcel from the roll; McLean replied that any city facility will be tax‑exempt but noted the old station could return to the tax roll after a move.
City Manager Law told council the item would be placed on the next meeting agenda for permission to advertise and asked for feedback and direction. No final purchase vote was taken at the workshop; staff sought counsel on public concerns and permission to proceed with advertisement and negotiations.
