New fire station project in northeast Johnson County breaks ground

About a year from now, the fire district that serves much of northeast Johnson County will move operations from its southernmost station to a new one at 7810 Mission Road in Prairie Village.

Consolidated Fire District No. 2 broke ground Dec. 7 on the new 13,000-square-foot building, which will replace the station at 9011 Roe Avenue, also in Prairie Village.

The $6.5 million project is being financed through general-obligation bonds, according to Fire Chief Tony Lopez. The district bought the land from the Mission Road Bible Church, which was not using a back parking lot. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.

The biggest reason for relocating the station was a change in the district’s southern boundary, Lopez said.

Until about three years ago, the district served a portion of Overland Park between 95th Street and College Boulevard. When that contract ended and the number of calls fell off, the district left an engine at 9011 Roe and moved a ladder truck to the station at 63rd and Mission Road, where calls were more plentiful.

Relocating the station north, he said, “sets it in the highest call volume area of the city.” When completed, the new station will house both an engine and ladder truck.

After the move, the district intends to maintain the Roe station, partly because the Med-Act ambulance will continue to use it. Secondly, the district wants will be watching the growth of the massive development now under construction on the former Meadowbrook Golf & Country Club at 91st Street between Nall and Roe avenues.

“This will allow us to be flexible and better able to respond as the need arises,” Lopez said.

Consolidated Fire District No. 2 serves Prairie Village, Mission Hills, Mission, Roeland Park, Fairway, Westwood, Westwood Hills and Mission Woods. It also has a station at 6400 Martway St. in Mission.

Company reimburses Overland Park for damage after fire

Block Real Estate Services has reimbursed $16,000 to the city of Overland Park for damage to a fire truck and equipment that occurred while crews fought the eight-alarm CityPlace fires last March.

Sparks from a welder’s torch ignited the fire, which destroyed two CityPlace apartment buildings under construction at College Boulevard and Nieman Road. The blaze, spread by high winds, also affected 25 nearby homes and structures.

“We believe the fact that there was no loss of life is directly attributed to the heroic efforts of first responders and those who worked around the clock to bring the fires under control,” the company’s managing principal, Ken Block, said in a news release. “We owe them a debt of gratitude and hope that the funds raised through the Block Cares Fire Relief Fund will help all of those affected to recoup some of their losses.”

According to the news release, the relief fund raised more than $100,000. The Salvation Army distributed most of the money to affected families for costs not covered by insurance.

Trail segment closed in Olathe

A stretch of the Indian Creek recreational trail is expected to be closed through next summer in Olathe.

Construction is scheduled to begin Dec. 18 on stormwater improvements through the Indian Creek channel from 127th Street to to Pflumm Road.

Detours will be posted for bikers and walkers in the affected areas.

This story was originally published December 14, 2017 at 2:52 PM with the headline "New fire station project in northeast Johnson County breaks ground."