Commission proposes bond for fire station upgrades

Longboat commissioners advanced a plan to pay for a renovated north fires station and a rebuilt one-story south station during its business meeting Sept. 25. The next step is a series of public hearings and discussions in the coming months before presenting a bond referendum to Longboat voters in March 2018.

If approved, the renovation on the north station could begin as early as Sept. 2018 and the new south station by the end of 2019. Consideration of the issue will be heard at the Town Commission meeting at 1 p.m. Oct. 2 at Town Hall.

The project is expected to cost $5.895 million, taking into account the north station renovation, south station construction and bond issuance expenses. A homeowner of a $500,000 property could see an increase of up $16.28 annually if the bond passes.

The south station rebuild costs $4.6 million and includes demolition of the existing building, replacing it with a 10,400-square-foot, single-story station. It provides a third bay for emergency vehicles, as well as an additional vehicle entry point.

Built in 1986, the new station will comply with the Florida Building Code, providing for flood and wind protection up to a Category 4 hurricane’s 156 mph. The plans would also address functional concerns by increasing space, adding a backup generator and providing gender-specific bunk rooms and bathroom facilities.

The north station, built in 1996, will also see a little more than $1 million in upgrades, also focused on space increases and code compliance.