By Tara Figurski
Staff Writer
Truro Township has selected the architectural firm Moody Nolan to construct its new fire station.
Last November, Truro Township voters approved a levy to allow the township to construct a new fire station, replacing its existing fire station at 6900 E. Main St.
Earlier this year the township received statements of qualification from six architectural firms interested in designing the new fire station. Statements of qualifications were received from BSHM Architects, Inc.; Williams Architects; Mull & Weithman Architects, Inc.; JBA Architects; Moody Nolan and KZF Design.
Moody Nolan previously designed fire stations in Dublin, Marysville and several in Cincinnati according to Truro Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Sharps.
“Moody Nolan also designed four schools in the Reynoldsburg City Schools so they have experience working in Reynoldsburg,” he said. “Having experience working in Reynoldsburg was also very favorable for them.”
The expected price tag for the new fire station is $5 million. Moody Nolan came in under budget, Sharps said.
“We made it very clear what the project price is,” he said.
Architects are meeting with township officials and employees to brainstorm what the new fire station might look like and provide input as well as things that didn’t work as well as expected at the township’s Livingston Avenue fire station.
“Firefighters live here,” Sharps said. “They have important perspective about their needs.”
Sharps said Moody Nolan met with administration to gain some understanding about the township’s needs and the vision for the new fire station. Moody Nolan is in the process of developing some rough designs.
“We don’t have any designs yet,” he said.
Township officials assembled a group of members from different departments and ranks to create a focus group who will look at the initial design and provide feedback.
“We want to get to a good point were we can open it up to the public for them to come in and give feedback,” Sharps said. “I assume that is going to come at a certain point when we have a pretty good design layout.”
Township officials hope construction could start sometime toward the end of the year. But that timeline might be pushed back. Sharps said ground will not be broken in winter.
Once construction begins township officials plan to move firefighters into Station 162 on Livingston Avenue and operate out of that station temporarily. The township is still looking for temporary housing for its administrative offices.
“We’ve been talking to other local entities who might have room for us,” Sharps said. “We want a low fee or no fee. We looked at preliminary spaces around the city and the rent is pretty high.”
