Riley County commissioners approved 3-0 Thursday morning to rezone a tract of land near Ogden for a new rural fire station.
The 5.3 acre tract of land is already owned by the county and is located approximately 1,800 feet northwest of Fort Riley Boulevard (K-18 Highway) on the south side of E. Riley Avenue near the city of Ogden.
According to the county, the current Ogden station in Ogden City Hall was expanded to its current size around 1967 when the rural fire district was formed. It initially housed a 1946 Willis Jeep and a 1950’s model 6×6 military vehicle. The station has been on the county’s fire district’s replacement schedule for years as the newer trucks barely fit through the doors.
“Although many locations were considered to construct a new station that would satisfy the needs of the district, many were in the floodplain or were not large enough,” Issac told commissioners. “There were many factors to consider.”
The county fire district is proposing a 50’x80’ fire station at the intersection of Riley Avenue and Skyway Drive.
“Although it appears the (new) site will be topographically challenging, the lot will be graded and engineered so this station can be located in this general area of the property,” Issac said while going over pictures of the site with the board. “Continuing to look southwesterly, panning towards the west, it’s actually more level than it appears.”
The station will serve an area encompassing a 5-mile radius, including the City of Ogden. This station will also serve as 2nd responder/assist for Manhattan Regional Airport.
“It’s a good location,” Commissioner Marvin Rodriguez said.
“Let’s get it underway,” Chairman Ron Wells added.
Commissioner Ben Wilson made the motion, Rodriguez seconded.
