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Reader question: “What is the status of Mount Vernon’s planned east-end fire station? With the opening of Danbury Senior Living and future developments at Ohio Eastern Star and on Coshocton Road, we need that station soon.”
MOUNT VERNON – Let’s cut to the chase: the east-end fire station is at a standstill, with hopes of one opening in five years, Mount Vernon officials estimate.
City officials have long contemplated a second fire station to serve the city’s growing east end, buying ground on Sychar Road in preparation for that eventuality. But that’s no longer the case. With Mount Vernon Municipal Court moving to Public Square, the Mount Vernon Police Department will move to Sychar Road.
Last year, the Ohio Fire Chiefs Association analyzed the city’s fire and EMS runs using 2019 data. According to the data, the best spot for a second station is the intersection of Coshocton Avenue and Vernonview Drive.
“We’re still in the process of enquiring the right land in the area,” Mount Vernon Fire Chief Chad Christopher said. “Best bet is we’re still trying to do some land acquisition.”
Christopher thinks around 1.5 acres of land would be enough for a new fire station and hopes it will come to fruition in three to five years.
Mount Vernon Safety Service Director Richard Dzik agrees with Christopher. He hopes to find a land for the new fire station by the end of this year.
“It’s been a focus for the mayor and I coming into 2020,” Dzik said. “We’ve been doing our best to find some property.”
Financially, Dzik is looking for potential grants that could be used to help mitigate some of the costs of opening a second fire station.
This comes ahead of Mount Vernon City Council approving the rezoning of 38 acres for a 496-unit apartment complex near Upper Gilchrist and Coshocton roads.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this article said Knox County Common Pleas Court was moving. That was incorrect. Mount Vernon Municipal Court is moving. We apologize for the error.
