The Athens-Clarke County Commission voted 6-3 to approve a location near the intersection of Morton Road and Old Lexington Road for a new fire station location.
The new station, funded by $6 million from SPLOST 2020, will replace the current location of Fire Station on Whit Davis Road, built in 1974.
Proponents, including the ACC Fire Department, argued that moving the fire station further east will improve coverage for the rural portion of southeastern Clarke County. However, some of the residents in the area objected to the noise, light and traffic a fire station might generate, and said the cost of acquiring the property was too high at nearly half a million dollars.
The commission had already voted to restart the site selection process again in 2024, but the new criteria resulted in a similar recommendation.
Commissioner Patrick Davenport wanted to start the process over a third time. But commissioners Tiffany Taylor, Melissa Link, Allison Wright, John Culpepper and Mike Hamby voted in favor of Commissioner Carol Myer’s recommendation to accept staff’s recommendation. Mayoral candidate Dexter Fisher and Commissioner Stephanie Johnson voted in favor of Davenport’s motion. Commissioner Ovita Thornton was absent.
Check the Oct. 15 issue of Flagpole for more.
Like what you just read? Support Flagpole by making a donation today. Every dollar you give helps fund our ongoing mission to provide Athens with quality, independent journalism.
