Top Stories

New fire station would be funded by City-Township Commission

  In less than two weeks, the Frankenmuth Fire Department will know if they can begin thinking their new fire station will become a reality.

  The nearly $10 million project will be funded through the Frankenmuth City-Township Commission, with the City of Frankenmuth paying 75 percent of the project costs, and the Township of Frankenmuth paying 25 percent of the costs.

  The Commission was created in 1959 – Frankenmuth achieved city status on October 1, 1959 – to manage the joint assets and funding, including the cemetery. The 75/25-percent split has been fairly consistent the past 20 years.

  The City-Township Commission, with help from the FFD, actually considered a total of nine sites and selected four acres near the northeast corner of West Genesee Street and Dehmel Road.

  “This location provides needed space that the current site does not have, is more centrally located in the service area, and provides an easier and quicker route to access the south side of the Cass River, rather than relying on Main Street,” FFD Chief Phil Kerns said.

  The architect for the project has developed a probable opinion of the cost of the project. It is estimated that the total project, including design, infrastructure, building and furnishings, will be about $9.4 million. The cost breakdown is as follows: $1.2 million for site work and paving, $6.5 million for the building, $1.7 million for equipment, furniture, design work, and issue bonds.

  It is estimated that the impact to taxpayers will be an approximately 1.3 mil increase to taxpayers in both the township and the city.

  For Frankenmuth Township residents, the township is seeking voter approval at the Tuesday, August 4, General Primary Election to levy up to 1.3 mils in 2027 ($1.30 mills per $1,000 of taxable value) and the estimated simple average annual millage rate required to retire the bonds is 1.15 mils ($1.15 per $1,000 of taxable value). .....

 ..... To read this complete story and other Upcoming Events in this week's Frankenmuth News, click on the "Subscribe" tab at the left or call (989-652-3246) to begin receiving your weekly copy of the Frankenmuth News.