Attala County has purchased property at the intersection of South Huntington Street and Love Road in an effort to build a new central fire station.According to county attorney Scott Pickle, the site has a lot going for it. First, he said, unlike the current central county fire station which is located in downtown Kosciusko, the site is located near the bypass, giving the department improved access to major roadways leading to all areas of the county. Additionally, the building that housed the former Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints can be easily converted into offices and living quarters for the department. The building currently includes large usable bathrooms and kitchen facilities. The existing structure’s usability will save the county money by avoiding the need for new construction to fulfill those needs. Pickle said some internal renovations will be needed to create the offices and sleeping quarters.The property, which totals about two acres, also has a paved parking area, leaving only a facility to house the fire trucks themselves to be constructed.The county paid $135,000 for the site which appraised for $180,000, and will engage an architect to develop plans for the quarters renovation and truck bay construction. Until those plans are completed, it is unclear what the timeframe or costs for those projects will be.Pickle said the county had been looking for a vacant lot for a new fire station for some time, and had they found one, it would have increased the project cost by as much as 50% since construction of living quarters and a parking lot would have been needed. “I think this was a great deal for us,” Pickle told The Star-Herald. “It lends itself pretty well to the purpose. It is going to be a nice location for us.”
