ALLENDALE, Mich. — An influx in population is creating issues for Allendale Township Fire Department. Due to an increase in call volume and equipment, a proposal was made for an expansion of the fire station.
“We’re just in a state where we need a bit more space,” said Town Supervisor Adam Elenbaas.
Elenbaas stated that the entire expansion footprint consists of 15,000 square feet and comes with two options: adding onto the existing fire station or constructing a new building on property the township currently owns.
Officials say the fire department is currently equipped to serve the approximately 25,000 people in Allendale Township. However, the number of residents is projected to grow over the years and Elenbaas said the township needs to be ready.
“We are the fastest growing community and fastest growing county in the state of Michigan… We are estimated to grow by about 650 percent in Allendale, so we're looking at another doubling in our population,” he said.
While Elenbaas said it’s too soon to quote a price for the project, he said the township is looking into funding plans that don’t include raising resident taxes.
“We know that people are going to move into the area, and so it's really on us to make sure that we are planning for that,” he added.
Township leaders are set to vote on the proposal on Monday, May 13. However, Elenbaas said he doesn’t anticipate breaking ground on the project in 2019.
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