The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-02-22
NEW FIRE HEADQUARTERS.
The Fire Commission Recommends a
Location on the Bay.

The erection OF a new engine house for
Engine Company No. was discussed by
the fire commission yesterday.
The quarters now occupied by the COM
pany on West Broad street are rented
property and in bad condition Chief Ma
guire was instructed to address a COM
munication TO the city council. request
ing the setting aside OF a portion Of the
ground owned by the city on the north
side or Bay street between Barnard and
JEFFERSON streets for the erection Of an
engine house and headquarters for the
department.
The space requested by the commission
ers Is tJKbJ, which would leave a street
nifty feet in width in the rear which
would be a continuation Of Williamson
street, and a block OF Jefferson street or
the same width on the west. Many pe0-
pie are under the impression that this
ground IS public common, but such IS
not the case, the ground having been
purchased by the city good many years
ago for the purpose of widening Bay
street. The titles 10 the land are in the
possession of the city.
All the members Of the commission are
understood TO favor this move. Chair
man GraysOn, in a talk with a Morning
News reporter, stated the arguments in
favor Of it.
1T is the only available spot in that To-
cality," he said, where the location of an
engine house can afford such protection
TO the immense business interests located
tguOus streets In that section. Such fires
as We have had I'm that locality during the
last Few years could not have occurred
had there been a Well-equipped engine
streets. The access to the river and the
buildings under the BLUM is perfect by
way OF the Barnard street slip. which
would be right at the door. The cree
ton OF an engine house there would mean
a large saving In insurance to the bust
ness houses in the neighborhood. The
building, IL Is true, would take up some
OF the open space now left on the north
side of Bay street, but instead OF injur-
ing the value of property In that neighbour
hood ! believe it would increase it. Be
sides, the city owns the property, anyway,
and has the right to dispose of il as IL
sees 1T. 1t would be considerable econo-
my 70 the city to use this ground, as il
would mean a saving of at least $1,000,
the lowest figure for which we can Sc
cure a desirable site in that locality. MY
idea is that we should erect a three-story
from R15TH ali iq four sdes sn the en'r io%es
floor to be used for the machines
and horses, the second floor as sleeping
quarters for the men and the third floor
to be occupied by the chief. This would
of course, be the headquarters for the
department, and II is the ideal spot for
the location of the headquarters. Such a
building could be erected at a cost of
$4,000, and would be an ornament to that
The communication will come before
the city council at its next meeting, and
will probably be referred to the commit
tee of the whole for discussion. 1t will
doubtless cause considerable discussion
and council will weigh the matter we'll
before deciding. AT the meeting of the
committee of the whole Wednesday af-
ternoon, Mayor Myers informed the al
dermen that such a communication would,
in all probability, be presented from the
fire commission.