Public meeting held for proposed Yorktown Heights fire station
Officials with Yorktown Heights Fire Department held a public meeting on Tuesday to discuss what it would look like and mean for the community.
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A proposal looks to build a brand-new fire station at 1916 Commerce St. in Yorktown Heights, where the current one stands.
Officials with Yorktown Heights Fire Department held a public meeting on Tuesday to discuss what it would look like and mean for the community.
The current fire station for Yorktown Heights is located at 1916 Commerce St. and has been in the community since 1951, according to Fire Assistant Chief Matt Lauria.
Chief Lauria gave News 12 a look inside the tight quarters of the firehouse.
He says the proposal, if approved, would allow for more over all space.
"It will be deeper, wider and taller to accommodate larger fire apparatus, it'll give us the ability to store equipment. Have a designated room where a firefighter's gear can be stored so its not being laden with carcinogenic materials," he said.
Officials with the department say the current station cannot accommodate modern fire engines which are at least 2.5 times bigger than those used almost 75 years ago.
For the current fire trucks to fit, they must be backed up only 1 inch or less from the wall for the doors to properly close.
The proposed station looks to quell these decade-old issues.
It would also be built to modern day code and regulations, according to the department.
The new station is projected to cost around $30,000,000, and would bring an anticipated tax increase of $12.12 for the average taxpayer in the fire district.
A formal public hearing will begin on Aug. 19.
