MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The Meridian Township Fire Department held a press conference last Friday to announce the opening of the temporary fire station and present the proposed timeline for the building of the new fire station.

The temporary fire station, located at the Meridian Service Center (2100 Gaylord C. Smith Court), cost Meridian Township $40,000 to re-configure the building to include living quarters, separate facilities for men and women, and space to house equipment. The temporary location was created after the closing of the Central Fire Station in February due to the poor condition of the building.

The process of building a new fire station was delayed when residents of the Autumn Park Condominiums filed a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against Meridian Township for the location of the new fire station. On Wednesday, April 30th, Judge Joyce Draganchuck denied the Temporary Restraining Order request from Autumn Park.

The new fire station is expected to open on May 11, 2015. A groundbreaking event has been tentatively scheduled for the end of July 2014.

Meridian Township Cost Breakdown of New Fire Station:
- $25,000 for legal fees
- $75,000 for a new traffic light on Okemos Road
- $29,000 for additional engineering fees to change the facing of the new fire station from Central Park Drive to Okemos Road