CLEVELAND, Ga. – The White County Commissioners this week received an update on the proposed new Fire Station 9, to be located northeast of Cleveland in Sautee.
In 2022, the board approved the purchase of 1.81 acres of land for a fire station at the corner of Sonnys Circle, Duncan Bridge Road, and Starlight Drive.
Several months ago, the commissioners asked the staff to begin the design process for the fire station.
During the Feb. 24 commission meeting, Dylan Lee, President of Precision United, Cleveland, presented the latest design plans for the new facility, which will feature a three-bay area for fire trucks, bunk rooms, and an apparatus area.
“The design is intended to be functional and high quality,” Lee said.
The station will use Sonnys Circle to access Duncan Bridge Road and the commissioners said they would be doing work to upgrade that end of Sonnys Circle for better traffic flow.
Lee said the design process is complete, and they will now work with the Georgia Department of Transportation and White County Health Department on required permits.
The commissioners approved the next step, which is to advertise for a construction manager at risk for the project. County Manager Derick Canupp said they will complete that process in March.
“The plans look great. We’ll be going out during the month of March for a construction manager at risk. That will be brought back before us after they analyze the bids and hopefully be to us in May,” Commission Chairman Travis Turner said. “My hope is we will be awarding the project during the month of May, if not the end of April, and we’ll begin construction this year in 2025.”
When the station is put into operation officials say it will have approximately 2,300 structures in its coverage area and the new fire station will enable property owners to possibly receive a lower insurance coverage rate.
