According to Gloria Hodgdon, president of Foxwood Lake Estates, She has asked Lakeland commissioners if they had purchased land for new Fire Station 8, to be built in Northwest Lakeland.
If not, Hodgdon asked the commission to consider building a temporary station to improve public safety by reducing response times.
Commissioner Sam Simmons, who represents the Northwest District, backed Hodgdon’s request.
“I would like to see a temporary fire station in Northwest also,” Simmons said.
Lakeland Fire Chief Doug Riley told commissioners the ideal location would be north of I-4 and easy access to U.S. Highway 98 North.
“Fire Station 8 is one of our highest priorities here at the city,” City Manager Shawn Sherrouse said at Thursday’s budget hearing.
Sherrouse revealed the city recently went out and ordered an appraisal of a property from a third-party consultant on the city’s behalf that was finalized Thursday.
“We are negotiating. We have some options that are positive — at least looking positive — and we need to continue the process out,” Sherrouse said.