by Terri Wiebold

The Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association has received several inquiries about the status of plans to build a fire station on a portion of the 10-acre parcel of land located at the corner of Monarch Boulevard and Hidden Pointe.

The South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) Board of Directors made a commitment to pursue this endeavor back in 2004, when CPN residents voted in support of an increase to the mill levy for capital improvements – specifically, a new fire station in CPN.

Since that time, SMFR has taken several steps toward evaluating and securing a site for the new station. According to Deputy Chief of Administration, Richard McGowan, SMFR has been working on the following in regard to the new station:

Preliminary tests of the soil of the parcel;

• Evaluation of the water and sewer locations of the site;
  
  
• Exploration of possible elevation issues with the parcel;
  
  
• Placement of a preliminary footprint of a similar station on the property plan to identify acreage requirements;
  
  
• Commissioning of an appraisal (for potential purchase) of the 2-acre parcel best suited for the station;
  
  
• Including in its 2006 budget the funding to build the station;
  
  
• Actively pursuing, first with the School District and now Douglas County, the acquisition of the land.

As of press time, the SMFR Board of Directors had granted its legal council the authority to go forward with the acquisition of the land. SMFR’s attorneys were working with Douglas County attorneys to try to reach an agreement about the possible purchase of the land.

“The calls have been made, but the meeting time has not been set as of yet,” said the attorney for SMFR, Matt Dalton. “We hope to have something to present to the (SMFR) Board of Directors by the September 28 board meeting. However, these things do take time.”

At this point, no news is still good news for CPN residents. Plans for a new station are still moving forward, and as soon as any changes are made in the status of the property in question, SMFR will have news to share with the residents of CPN.

For an update on the SMFR Board of Directors Meeting held September 28, go to www.cpnhoa.org.