Uprooting Fire Station No. 1 from the bosom of Downtown, razing the outdated Police Station around the corner on Duquesne and starting over with both agencies occupying the same property.
City Councilman Scott Malsin said this afternoon that he hatched this blockbuster idea one year ago.
The mammoth shift in locations and appearances turned up in print at the weekend in Interim City Manager Lamont Ewell’s bi-weekly report to the Council and the community. (See elsewhere on this page.)
Mr. Ewell, who is entering his final fortnight at City Hall, estimated that this turnaround could be achieved within five years.
He had speculated that the Fire Station No. 1 structure could be turned into a possible mixed-use building, with ample space to the rear for residential housing.
Both city leaders indicated that plans need not be wed to retaining the Duquesne property, around the corner from City Hall. The Councilman even mentioned Jefferson Boulevard as a possibility.
But as Mr. Ewell noted, “We don’t want to talk about specific locations” because that would drive up the price of real estate.
The notion of a grand complex that hosts police and fire is a centerpiece kind of idea that could take off.
It will be recalled that when John Nachbar of Overland Park, KS, was hired last week as new City Manager, a major selling point was that he has masterminded 10 years of economic redevelopment in the Kansas City suburb.
Mr. Ewell said this afternoon that he has directed the Fire Dept., the Police Dept., Public Works and the Community Redevelopment Agency to draw up potential plans when they file their fall season reports.
“It should be obvious to anyone that have a fire station in the middle of a downtown, a commercial district that is supposed to be pedestrian-friendly, does not make a lot of sense,” Mr. Malsin said.
Before Fire Chief Jeff Eastman retired last December, the Councilman consulted him.
“I asked Jeff whether it was a real advantage to having it Downtown, and he said there was not,” Mr. Malsin said. “In fact, for some reasons, such as traffic, it is not a great location.” Fire Station 1 has been at the intersection of Culver Boulevard and Irving Place since the middle 1990s.
“Having a fire station in the middle of a commercial district that is walking-friendly, just breaks up the continuity and all of the energy. It is a terrific building.
“If we are able to find another location and are able to get funding to build, perhaps, a public safety complex in some other part of town, Fire Station 1 could be diverted into a very nice facility.”
(To be continued)
