Shuttered Fresh Fire Church Makes Way for New Fire Station on Texel Drive

KalamAZOO, MI — Kalamazoo Township is breaking ground on a modern fire station that will replace an aging facility built in the 1940s. The $11 million project will include three truck bays nearly twice as long as the current station, updated living quarters, and a designated public entrance with 30 parking spaces.

The new station at 2409 Texel Drive will be built on the site of the shuttered Fresh Fire African Methodist Episcopal Church, which was demolished in July after the church deactivated its Facebook page in 2023.

"Demolition of the shuttered Fresh Fire African Methodist Episcopal Church started in July," said Audrey Whitaker of MLive.com.

The current Eastwood Fire Station at 2703 E. Main St. cannot fully extend equipment without blocking traffic, according to Fire Chief Jairus Baird. The building was originally constructed in the 1940s and does not accommodate modern firefighting equipment.

Plans Include Community Room and Expanded Capacity

The new station will feature three truck bays that can house the township's three current engines plus four more, according to Baird. This expansion should accommodate growth in the township or provide space for maintenance and repairs.

Plans include:

  • A community room for training and public use
  • Three truck bays nearly twice as long as the current station
  • Updated living quarters for on-duty staff
  • A designated public entrance with 30 parking spaces
  • Ample room to drive out of the building directly onto Gull Road

"This groundbreaking represents more than just a new building — it represents our commitment to safety, efficiency and responsible community service," said Tracie Moored, superintendent of Kalamazoo Township.

Funding and Special Assessment

The project is funded through a $1 million state grant and a township-wide special assessment approved after a public hearing in October. Residents will not vote on this special assessment, according to township documents.

For a home with a $100,000 taxable value, the special assessment will add $150 to annual property taxes. The board approved the assessment on March 24. Staff will review other special assessments for potential cuts, including street lighting and sewer surcharge.

The township purchased the property at the end of 2024 for $400,000, according to Superintendent Tracie Moored. This is less than a mile from the current station.

Energy-Efficient Design and Geothermal Technology

The new fire station will use geothermal technology to heat and cool the building, according to Mark Bushhouse of Williams Architects. The system draws heat from underground wells in winter and reverses the process in summer.

The township received a $300,000 grant to support this system, making the investment cost-neutral. After a $1 million grant from the state, the township has $10 million available to bond out for the project.

"We want to make sure the living quarters and offices are always very healthy," said Bushhouse. "We have decontamination rooms, we have airlocks, we have different pressurization on the mechanical systems so the bad air never pushes into the good air zones."

Broader Township Infrastructure Projects

The fire station project is part of a larger $43 million bond package that includes a planned rebuild of the Township Hall and police station. The township purchased 17.3 acres at 3006 Douglas Avenue for $1.05 million in September 2024 for these projects.

Construction on the new fire station is expected to be complete in early 2027. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on November 4.

Community Impact

The special assessment will be repaid by taxpayers through a property tax addition over the bond period. The board's goal is to reduce the assessment to $75 annually, down from the initial $150 per $100,000 of taxable value.

Unlike a millage, residents don't vote on special assessments, according to township documents. Special assessment districts for police and fire have existed since 1953.

Brad Devereaux of MLive.com covered the story and noted that the bond package combines $7 million from the township's current funds with the bonded amount.