There are currently two fire station within the City of Mountlake Terrace, soon there will be only one. Fortunately, a brand new station is being built in Brier, less than 2 miles from the existing station on 228th that will be demolished.

The new station will be located near 21th and Poplar Way and will be built into the hillside to minimize impacts on the neighbors. Fire District 1 says that they met with neighbors in May to hear their input on the project, and as a result,  moved the station location a bit to save more trees. They will also be taking other steps to minimize impacts on the stream during construction and to enhance habitat as part of the project. An emergency traffic light will be installed to stop traffic on Poplar only when crews are responding to calls. Brier has issued the building permits and the groundbreaking ceremony should be sometime within the next month. The new fire station is scheduled to open in fall of 2010.

What will happen to the existing fire station property? The MLT Civic Facilities Advisory Task Force delivered a report to City Council in late February 2009 outlining recommended improvements for the Recreation Pavilion, Ballinger Lake Golf Course, and Fire Station 18. The task force  recommended “the Fire 1 Foundation and the Firefighters Union work together to enhance “Fireman’s Park” for the benefit of the community and if the buliding is not useable for any City purposes, it should be demolished.” The Council reviewed the recommendation at their May 28 meeting and provided direction that a resolution be prepared for Council consideration accepting recommendations from citizen task force. The Council considered and approved this resolution at their July 20 Council meeting. So basically, the building will be demolished and the park expanded in some form, yet to be determined.