(La Porte, IN) - The City of La Porte is buying two vacant lots to help with a new fire training center under construction.

 

The lots consist of more than 2.5 acres of ground on Philadelphia St., and are being purchased for $95,000 under an offer approved by the city’s Board of Public Works and Safety Wednesday night. City Attorney Nick Otis said the price was based on the average of two appraisals.

 

“We had previously tried to purchase this a couple of years ago. The owner at the time was not ready to sell.  They were now when we re-approached them,” he said.

 

Fire Chief Andy Snyder said the land purchase will allow the new facility to have access to fire hydrants with the ability to provide greater volumes of water for training purposes.

 

“We’re excited about it,” he said.

 

The fire hydrants tapping into larger water mains will be new and also serve nearby properties.

 

Snyder said construction of the projected $1 million training facility at the fire station on Daytona St. began in the fall. He estimated the four story building will be finished probably in May. Training has previously been conducted at other facilities in areas like Valparaiso and Michigan City. The training facility will also help lower the fire insurance rates of local property owners.

 

About one half of the training facility’s cost is being funded with a grant from the Health Foundation of La Porte.