A Sarnia city councillor sees an opportunity for residential growth with the building of a new fire hall at Colborne Road and Michigan Avenue.
While councillors approved demolition and building the new station at the current location Monday, they also supported an amendment from councillor Mike Stark to explore the possibility of building the new fire station in the park behind the existing location.
"I think there's a unique opportunity," said Stark. "We're in the process of reconstructing Michigan Avenue, so in conjunction with that reconstruction, the repositioning of the fire hall back into what formerly was known as Sparky Park, would give you the opportunity of realizing the sale of two or three potential residential lots that front onto Colborne Road."
Stark said he's always looking for new opportunities to reduce the impact on ratepayers.
"To me you need to investigate all of the opportunities that are present when these construction projects become available and you try and meld the best of both worlds in trying to make sure that efficiencies are created when they're possible."
Director of Engineering Mike Berkvens agreed that there may be an opportunity to service new lots with the reconstruction of Michigan Avenue.
Council has asked staff to report back April 15.
Fire Chief John Kingyens told council he hopes to consider design and build applications with cost estimates by this fall and construction on the new fire hall could begin next spring.
