MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Not only is spring right around the corner, so is the estimated ground breaking of the new Central Fire Station in Meridian Township.

Township Manager Frank Walsh said that 100 percent of the bids are in, and the Township Board will consider the bids at their March 3rd meeting.

"The bids are slightly less than the revenue that we have, which is really good news," Walsh said.

This is an improvement from the last round of bidding that took place as they came back significantly over budget.

The question still remains, when will construction on the new station begin?

"It's still a moving target as to when we're going to break ground," Walsh said. "We're certainly hoping if the bids get approved by the Township Board here in early March, we would hope to break ground maybe by the end of the month, and probably move into the station around December or January."

Walsh said that approximately $3.2 million is left of the Central Fire Station bond money that was passed by voters back in November 2012.

"The total bid for the station is around $3 million--$3.05 million--in that range, and we have $100,000 set aside for contingency to fit within that $3.2 million that we have,' Walsh said.

Construction of the new fire station has faced some challenges along the way. Residents from the Autumn Park Condominiums, located across the street from the location of the new station, put up a legal fight regarding the station’s construction.