Lehi City is inviting neighbors near Eaglecrest Elementary to an open house at the Water Department building, 2538 N. 300 West, on July 22 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. to see its plans for a North Bench Fire Station.

"It's going to allow us to show them the plans, they will have some pictures of the rendering of it," said Fire Chief Dale Ekins during a phone interview. "We're by a school so there has to be some concerns because of it. It should be good for the citizens to see."

He said he is excited about getting another fire station to serve north Lehi. The plans will go before the Planning Commission Thursday for the board's recommendations.

"I'll be more excited about it when it's done," Ekins said. "When we see an end to the issues with staffing and such."

He said he is looking forward to decreasing the response time, often 10-15 minutes, in north Lehi. The new station will also divvy up some of the call load for the city's emergency services.

"The amount of calls we're having are like the medium stations in Salt Lake," Ekins said. "It will be nicer to provide a higher level of service."

About 12,000 square feet, the proposed North Bench Station designed by JRCA Architects of Salt Lake City will have six bedrooms for full time firefighters serving the area.

Scott Holmes from JRCA Architects and Paul Ellsworth of Ellsworth Construction presented the station plans to the City Council and Mayor Howard Johnson at a work session July 1.

"We've reviewed the plans and revised them a number of times," said Ekins. "They have 5-6 weeks before school starts ... I know they are anxious to get some of the ground work done."

The current building at the site, at approximately 2600 N. Center St., has to be demolished, construction started, and the road work completed for utilities lines before Alpine School District 2008-2009 school year begins Aug. 18.

"We tried to pay attention to the fact that this was going to be in a neighborhood," said Paul Ellsworth of Ellsworth Construction at the meeting. He said the roofline was consistent with the neighborhood as well be the landscaping. The idea they presented was a municipal building that complemented the area.

"We've tried to blend this in as much as possible, but its not going to blend in like a 2-3 bedroom house neither does the school, but it is going to complement the area," city administrator Jamie Davidson said.

"Just build it pretty," Mayor Johnson said.

Davidson said the one thing they can't break away from are the three large bay doors.

"We are planning a tot lot or play structure adjacent to the facility," Davidson said. "We want this to be an amenity for the community."

He said the site will allow the city to plan ahead for the community's future needs with accessory climate-controlled storage for trailers and other sensitive emergency equipment.

"We are moving on an aggressive schedule with that project," said Davidson. "It was budgeted in the last session."

Ekins said five firefighters will work three shifts, some part time, some full time. A captain will oversee the North Bench Fire Station.

Last year, the Lehi Fire Department gave classes, presentations and tours to 8,000 children. The new facility will continue that tradition of serving the community and providing public education on safety.

"What it will really help us do is when we have 2-3 calls at one time, we will be able to respond quicker and more efficiently with our own people rather than call other cities or volunteers to man our stations," Ekins said.

NEWS BRIEFS

BSA volunteers needed -- The Boys Scouts of America Lehi need volunteers to run its programs. More information is available from Lenny Wing, 768-8345.

Eagle projects -- The Hutching's Museum at 55 N. Center St. in Lehi has a few projects that would work well for Eagle Scout projects. Staff at the museum can be contacted about projects at 768-7165.

Merit badge classes -- The Lehi Police Department offers merit badge classes at the police station on 580 W. State St., Lehi. The next class is scheduled for Sept. 17 and will be on criminal law. Sign ups for the class is being taken until full. Registration can be done by calling 766-5800.

Classes begin at 7 p.m. and occur monthly. Traffic safety will be studied on Oct. 15 and first aid will be the topic Nov. 19.