Athens residents are being called upon once again to give their input on where they want to see their new fire station built. The site selection saga for Fire Station #5 continues, as the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) seeks public opinions on revised criteria for the future station's location, a project paid for with a chunk of their tax dollars through the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST).
In an announcement made on March 18, the ACCGov laid out the broad strokes for the upcoming input sessions and online survey participation, offering residents a chance to weigh in through April 7. The current Fire Station #5, which was established in 1974 at Whit Davis Road and Cedar Shoals Drive, the ACCGov aims for an upgrade to meet modern standards. The involvement doesn't stop at a mere opinion; locals have the power to suggest potential sites for consideration once the criteria are set in stone.
For those who prefer a face-to-face, ACCGov has organized a drop-in public meeting slated for March 28, at Fire Station #7 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Here, community members can gather more information, and voice their thoughts directly to those steering the transformation of their fire response infrastructure. The changes come after initial criteria, and recommended locations had been scrapped by the Mayor and Commission last November due to public disapproval, necessitating this second round of civic engagement.
According to the official project page, the ACCGov has earmarked approximately $6 million for this grand makeover. This budget includes land acquisition, construction, and all the bells and whistles a suburban fire station of this day and age should have. But the fiscal prudence doesn't stop there, a meticulous step-by-step process ensures every penny is well spent, starting with these community sessions.
Once the ACCGov's call for public opinions wraps up on April 7, recommended criteria will be showcased to the project user group and the Mayor and Commission this spring. And it appears that Athens-Clarke County government is not just looking for a quick fix - they're setting the stage for an ongoing conversation with its citizens, providing multiple chances for input as they move through the fire station's site selection and design phases. For more details or to express your view virtually, visit the project's webpage, or reach out to the SPLOST / TSPLOST Program Management Office directly at 706-613-3025 or via email at [email protected].
