Commission approves fire station in Tecumseh

One resident almost stopped the construction.

Shawnee County Commissioners approved building a new fire station at the corner of Tecumseh Road and 2nd Street.

As we first told you last month, there was some concern from a neighbor who wanted the station located on 2nd street instead of Tecumseh Road.

Fire department engineers said it could add about 20 percent to the cost of the building if it had to be moved to the west end of the property. Shawnee Heights Fire Chief Tom Garcia was happy with the Commissioners decision, saying, "It's going to definitely help the property owners at the North end of our district, it's going to lower their insurance rating. You know Mr. Richards to the South; I'm really hoping that we can mend any rifts, and from this point forward we're going to do our best to ensure that we're the best neighbor we can be."

The chief says he hopes the fire station will be built and operational sometime early this winter.