MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - At the December 9th Township Board meeting, the Board approved the proposed design and budget for the new fire station. Board members felt that the design delivered much needed results while staying within budget.

"I want to thank especially the voters for voting this in. Like Trustee Styka commented, it’s not a "taj majal", but it’s what we needed and its within budget," said Angela Wilson, Township Board Trustee.

The new fire station will have amenities that the former Central Fire Station did not such as accommodations for both male and female firefighters by providing separate sleeping quarters and bathroom facilities. In 2012 voters approved a $3.5 million millage to build a new fire station. The new fire station will replace the old Central Fire Station on Clinton Street, which was closed earlier this year due to the condition of the building.

Ground breaking of the new fire station, to be built on the corner of Okemos Road and Central Park Drive, is expected to take place in March 2015 with the opening of the new fire station on December 15, 2015.

At this time, the Michigan Supreme Court has not yet determined if it will hear an appeal made by residents of the Autumn Park Condominiums regarding the new fire station.