The Colchester city council last week agreed to resume negotiations before deciding on selling land to the Colchester Fire Protection District, which has sought additional property and funding to expand its fire station.
Mayor Mark Clark outlined plans for a new police station and the city’s first full-time police department in 25 years. He also confirmed the city’s intent to sell land to the fire department to support its growth.
Clark said the current police force is cramped in a single room inside city hall. “I want a building uptown that’s more accessible to residents, improves response times, offers better security, and provides more operational options,” he said.
Funding for the new police station would come partly from reallocating money now spent on a contract with the McDonough County Sheriff’s Office, Clark added.
Two years ago, the city signed an agreement with the sheriff’s office to enhance police protection. That contract has recently been extended, though financial details have not been disclosed.
Fire officials Rodger Hodges and Robert Phelps have long advocated purchasing city land to expand their aging facilities. Hodges stressed the fire department’s importance to Colchester and neighboring communities, including Macomb.
Phelps described the fire station’s deteriorating condition. “There are holes in the building’s façade and concrete flooring. Working conditions are so difficult that even getting dressed for duty can be a challenge,” he said.
Clark said the city is willing to sell some land but not all, reserving property for the new police station. The current proposal involves selling a 33-foot parcel adjacent to the fire station, expanding their footprint to 99 feet—more than doubling the existing space.
“We’re considering other options as well, but I’m not ready to discuss those yet,” Clark said.
