Dec 11, 2019 3 min read

Peters Township is moving forward to buy land for construction of a new fire station.

At its Monday night meeting, council voted to authorize township officials to execute a sales agreement for the $500,000 purchase of 2.87 acres at 435 Bebout Road.

The location will allow Peters Township Fire Department to provide more rapid response times throughout the municipality, particularly the eastern portion, where the number of residences has grown substantially in recent decades.

The land is owned by G.L. Harakal Group Inc., with George Harakal listed as president, and is leased by McClure Construction Co., which occupies a building on the property.

According to information provided by council, McClure’s monthly payment is $3,600 and the tenant will remain on a month-to-month basis, assuming all responsibilities for maintenance of the building and grounds.

Council member Monica Merrell questioned the arrangement, citing at one point an unfavorable situation in which the township served as a landlord.

“I had suggested that we try to ask the existing owner to terminate the lease before we actually purchase, but it seems as if that’s not going to happen,” she said.

Township manager Paul Lauer explained a reason for continuing the arrangement.

“The fact of the matter is, we’re going to have acquired this property and there will be a period of time before we actually construct the fire station at this location,” he said. “The alternative is not to get that rent and have the public works department assume responsibility for maintaining those grounds, and I don’t think that’s in the township’s interest.”

The six-page real estate agreement states:

“Buyer will allow tenant to remain on the property for a brief period of time but will need to vacate the property within 30 days of notice to vacate but no sooner than April 1, 2020.”

The agreement also contains a provision that the sale is contingent on the township undertaking a Phase I environmental site assessment, which “involves a review of records, a site inspection, and interviews with owners, occupants, neighbors and local government officials,” according to the National Small Business Environmental Assistance Program.

If the assessment “were to reveal any environmental issues or concerns, buyer is free to terminate the transaction and will not be obligated to go forward with the purchase,” the sales agreement states.

Regarding the McClure building, its days look to be numbered.

“Having had the opportunity to view the property, I don’t think that it’s suitable for a fire station,” Lauer said. “My guess is when this tenant leaves, what’s going to be required is that building be razed and a new building be constructed.”

During a November council workshop session, he provided cost estimates for a third Peters Township Fire Department station at between $2.5 million and $3 million.

Fire Chief Michael McLaughlin at the same meeting stressed the importance of firefighters having the ability to arrive at scenes expediently, particularly newer homes.

“Modern building construction reduces the time that occupants have to escape a fire,” he said. “They’re stronger as they sit today, but under heat and fire conditions, they’re weaker and they fail faster.”