PLYMOUTH — Construction of Plymouth’s new fire station could be done this summer.
Councilman Dwayne Cassidy told local lawmakers Tuesday night that completion of the station is still expected to be Aug. 1.
“Painting inside is going on (and) they are installing the garage doors,” Cassidy said. “Those should be completed by Friday.”
Since a groundbreaking ceremony in September, Ashland-based Simonson Construction Services has been working on the new 11,600 square-foot facility. Building plans include four drive-through apparatus bays, as well as a 1,000 square-foot mezzanine for mechanical equipment, storage and fire and rescue training.
The new station, located at 184 Sandusky St., nearly doubles the size of the Plymouth Fire Department’s current station at 20 Portner St. A community room and museum are also planned, which will become the permanent home of Plymouth’s original 1929 Model-A fire engine.
At Plymouth Village Council’s meeting May 27, Plymouth Fire Chief Richard Metzger said Simonson was continuing work to heating, cooling and electric, as well as drywall.
Concrete work to lay the front pad coming off the bays was also being scheduled when the chief updated council at the end of May.
How the new station came to be
In May 2024, Metzger announced Milliron decided to partner with Plymouth and provide a donation for the replacement of the current fire station.
The Milliron Foundation gifted Plymouth $2.8 million toward the new station — estimated to cost around $3.4 million. In June, State Sen. Mark Romanchuk (R-Ontario) announced the investment of millions from the One-Time Strategic Community Investment Fund.
Five projects from Senate District 22 were awarded funds — including $600,000 toward the new Plymouth fire station. Between the Milliron Foundation donation and OTSCIF funds, construction costs for the firehouse have been fully funded — leaving “no burden” to village taxpayers.
“Karl (Milliron) knew the importance of this project to his father (Grant). He and the (Milliron) foundation took that seed that was planted and watered it,” Metzger said in September.
“They nurtured it and carefully took care of it, to be sure that it would sprout.”
The firehouse will have 24/7 accommodations for up to three firefighters — with the ability to support six additional firefighters in the future.
Truck bays will be separated from living quarters in the new four-bay, eight-truck facility.
It will come finished with wall, floor and window treatments, but furnishing the station is the department’s responsibility. The Plymouth Volunteer Firefighter’s Association set a goal to raise $70,000 to help with this effort.
In a letter to community members and area businesses, Calvin Redden, treasurer of the association, wrote donations can be made by mail to Post Office Box 23, Plymouth, Ohio 44865 or by contacting any member of the department.
Any questions regarding the year-long fundraising effort may be emailed to plymouthfireassoc@yahoo.com.