Avedisian
announces site for new fire station
The decision preserves existing fields in Apponaug
for use by Cal Ripken League
WARWICK – Mayor Scott Avedisian announced today that the new fire Station
One will be built on city-owned land adjacent to police department headquarters
in Apponaug.
Avedisian said the decision came after the Fire Department, the Department of Public Works and the Planning Department cooperatively scrutinized several potential sites with the architectural firm that was hired for the project. The firm formulated four possible scenarios that will allow the new headquarters to be erected on the property.
“This option meets the needs of the Fire Department and will allow us to have all of our public safety services together on one property,” Avedisian said. “Equally important, it allows us to preserve the fields for the Cal Ripken League, which has been a priority of my administration all along.” Moving the fire station across the street will also greatly help alleviate the current parking problems in the City Hall complex, Avedisian said, adding that spots currently occupied by fire department personnel alongside the ball fields will be used by employees and that signage will be erected at spots directly in front of the annex to reserve spots for public use.
The two-story station will be constructed within a 14,000 square-foot footprint and will house the department’s administrative offices, conference area, living quarters and space for apparatus, Avedisian said.
While a final cost analysis must still be completed, funding for the project will come from a $7.5 million public safety bond that voters approved in 2002.
“Now that we have determined the site, the work of the architect can begin in earnest,” Avedisian said.
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