Culture News Blog

City Manager Cameron Benson said moving the station to the 0.85-acre plot between Madison and Monroe streets would improve response times for properties on the south end of the beach. It also would allow the fire station to share a building with the city's beach safety and beach community redevelopment offices.

The new station's cost: an estimated $15.4 million.

Opponents said the station should stay in the less-populous northern part of the beach. And some questioned why the city was spending millions for a new fire station in a tight budget year when the city can renovate the current one for $6.2 million.

"I am urging you to realize that should you not keep this fire station where it's supposed to be, where it should be, where it has to be, we are going to be paying and paying and paying," said Bunny Mestel, president of the Hallmark Condominium Association.

In November 2004, voters approved a general obligation bond to pay for safety improvements, including replacing city fire stations.

Then in 2005, the director of the Beach Community Redevelopment Agency proposed relocating the fire station and combining it with the beach safety and CRA offices.

The following year, the CRA board agreed to buy the property between Madison and Monroe streets for $8.05 million.

Commissioners spent almost two hours trying to decide whether to move the station to that site, leave it where it is or move it to a third location next to the Hollywood Beach Culture & Community Center on South Ocean Drive.

Mayor Peter Bober said he favored leaving the station in its current spot.

But arguments about faster response times and the ability to house other city offices in the station swayed the other commissioners.

Fire Chief Virgil Fernandez said the Fire Department is currently meeting all response time requirements but said moving the fire station farther south would improve those times by 45 or 90 seconds.

"You want to get to the door as fast as you can get to the door. . . . That minute, that 45 seconds, that can save someone's life."

In other business, city commissioners approved a contract with Florida Power & Light Co. that would allow the city to place wireless Internet transmitters on city light poles as part of a planned outdoor wireless network.

By utilizing the content on this page, you agree to the legal terms .

This is cache, read story here