Old fire station sought for public works facility
ZELIENOPLE — The former borough volunteer fire station is being considered as the site for the new public works facility, borough officials said.
“That is our desire,” borough manager Don Pepe said.
The building on West Beaver Street housed fire and emergency vehicles and had about 50 volunteers before the fire department merged late last year with the Harmony Volunteer Fire Company to form the Harmony Fire District.
The new public works facility would house borough vehicles and equipment.
The borough has two public works buildings, one on Jefferson Street and the other off Halstead Boulevard.
The facility off Halstead Boulevard was the former site of the water treatment plant.
Public works director Chad Garland said the plan is to move everything to the new facility.
“You reduce your overhead costs for having to heat multiple buildings and your utilities associated with that,” Garland said about the advantage of having everything in one place.
No costs have been determined for the relocation.
Garland said the new facility may need to be expanded to house all 10 borough vehicles.
The West Beaver street building has space for five vehicles.
He also said the other two buildings may be resold for residential or industrial use, depending on zoning.
Pepe said the borough has some legal issues to complete before attempting to convert the former fire building.
“We’re working on all those things to happen before we actually take possession of it,” Pepe said.
The fire district’s temporary headquarters are at the former Harmony Volunteer Fire Company’s station on Main Street in Harmony. It also operates out of its Lancaster Township station.
The fire district is searching for a new central location to operate from.
The Zelienople fire building is owned by the borough.
Garland said there is some uncertainty when it comes to legalities since the former fire company became its own entity.
“The borough ultimately purchased it (building) for the fire department,” he said. “Then they became their own company.”
Pepe said he hopes to discuss acquiring the building with borough council, although no time frame has been set.
Fire district Chief Scott Garing would not comment on plans for the building.
