Tacoma: City Council Votes to Purchase 2.27 Acres to Facilitate Future Construction of a New Fire Station 7 and Enhance Emergency Response Capabilities
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~ Tacoma City Council Approves Purchase of Land for New Fire Station 7

In a unanimous decision, the Tacoma City Council voted on Tuesday to purchase 2.27 acres of land near South Tyler and South 58th streets for the future construction of a new Fire Station 7. The purchase, totaling $870,000, is a collaboration between the city and Metro Parks to enhance emergency response capabilities and improve public safety infrastructure.

Mayor Victoria Woodards expressed her excitement about this decision, stating that it marks a significant step forward in ensuring the safety and well-being of the community. She also emphasized the importance of strategic growth and preparedness for the future.

The need for a new fire station was identified in a facilities needs assessment conducted by the City of Tacoma in 2023. The current Fire Station 7 on South Warner Street was found to be undersized and unable to accommodate necessary expansions. Built in 1959, it shares a facility with the South Tacoma Library Branch, making it impossible to support a second fire apparatus.

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Council Member Joe Bushnell highlighted the importance of adapting to the changing needs of the growing community. He stated that replacing Fire Station 7 will provide more equitable service delivery to all residents and visitors of Tacoma. Without this replacement, high call volumes will continue to disproportionately impact response times in areas with higher needs.

Council Member Jamika Scott echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that all neighborhoods in Tacoma should have access to top-notch fire safety and emergency resources. She believes that relocating Fire Station 7 will help achieve this goal for the growing South Tacoma community. She also commended City staff and Metro Parks for engaging in extensive collaboration with the public to gather their perspectives on this important proposal.

Currently, Fire Station 7 on South Warner Street serves an area with the second-highest call volume in Tacoma. It responds to over 3,500 emergencies every year, far exceeding both department targets and national standards of 2,500 calls annually.

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Interim Fire Chief Sionna Stallings-Ala'ilima expressed gratitude for the collaboration between Metro Parks, the City of Tacoma's Public Works Department, and the Tacoma Fire Department in making this deal possible.

The chosen location for the new fire station is within the 75-acre SERA Campus, approximately half a mile from the current Fire Station 7. This proximity will allow for continued service to the current station's radius. Additionally, this location complements existing park infrastructure and could potentially serve as a crisis command site during natural disasters or other catastrophic incidents.

The purchase of this land marks a significant investment in the safety and well-being of Tacoma residents. With plans for a new and improved Fire Station 7 underway, the city is taking proactive steps towards ensuring efficient and effective emergency response capabilities for years to come.

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