Ansonia firefighters will have the ultimate say over what sort of new fire facility will be part of the redevelopment of Olson Drive, the Connecticut Post reported Thursday.
Leaders of the city’s five firehouses will poll their members and report back to the city’s Board of Fire Commissioners in two months before the city decides how to proceed with a feasibility study for a 2‑acre plot on the property.
A new police department is already part of the plans.
The city has budgeted $50,000 to fund a feasibility study for the project.
The city project is part of the larger redevelopment of Olson Drive by the Ansonia Housing Authority.
The authority is seeking permission from the federal government to replace the 160 apartments that once stood there with 54 new units.
Click here to read more about the Housing Authority’s plans.
Mayor David Cassetti first announced he wanted to include a new public safety facility on Olson Drive last year.
At the time, firefighters worried Cassetti’s plan would close and consolidate city firehouses.
If that happens, fire officials worry response times and recruitment of new members could suffer.
According to the Post, the fire commissioners may decide to build only an administration office at the Olson Drive facility while continuing to fund repairs on its five firehouses spread throughout Ansonia.
