The site has been a fire department training facility since 1991.
The City Council (on a 4-3 vote) voted to clear the way for a fire station to go up at 2269 Alessandro Dr. on a 2.9-acre site owned by the city. It will be the Ventura’s seventh station.
The station could be used for up to 20 to 30 years (this is temporary)?
The council felt that costs for the temporary station are significantly lower than a permanent station. Perhaps less than $5 million compared to $20 million to $30 million.
Fire Chief David Endaya stated “I don’t know that I can come up with a solution that will completely take away the challenges? What I know we’ve been asking for, and the firefighters group has been asking for, is help.”
Councilmembers Jim Duran, Bill McReynolds and Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios voted against the project. They wanted more information and wished to continue the discussion in six months.
Councilmembers Mike Johnson, Doug Halter, Liz Campos and Mayor Joe Schroeder didn’t want to wait so approved the project.
The new station will have a full-time engine company to provide services to Ventura Keys, Pierpoint, Harbor, Marina, and surrounding areas. The fire department’s goal is to respond to fires within 5-minutes.
Council members were told that 2 mitigation fee funds of $5.5 million could cover the costs of the interim station.
