State Fair Community College has finalized the sale of land to Pettis County Fire District #1 after nearly 50 years of leasing the property, marking a continuation of a long-standing partnership and supporting future renovations of the district’s Central Station.
SFCC has leased the land near 16th Street and Thompson Boulevard to the fire district since October 1978 for $1 per year. The district now assumes full ownership of the property, which includes its Central Station. The college sold the land for $10.
The agreement includes a provision that the property will revert to SFCC at no cost if the fire district vacates the site or ceases using it for fire protection purposes.
“State Fair Community College and its Board of Trustees are proud to support Pettis County Fire District #1 and the vital role it plays in serving our communities,” said Dr. Brent Bates, SFCC president. “This agreement reflects a strong, long-standing partnership and ensures the district can continue its important work of not only protecting property but ultimately saving lives. We’re pleased to see this transition support the future of a service that is critical to public safety.”
Pettis County Fire Department Fire Chief Mike Harding said that owning the land where the Central Station is located paves the way for future renovations. “Now that the land belongs to Pettis County Fire District #1, we can confidently make the investments and improvements the building needs,” Harding said.
In an initial proposal, Pettis County Fire Protection District #1 Board President Ryan Reed expressed appreciation for the long-standing partnership.
“Since the establishment of our Central Station, your generosity in leasing the land on which it sits has greatly benefited both our operations and the broader community,” Reed said.
Reed added that the sale “represents a mutually beneficial arrangement that ensures continued public safety service from this centrally located station while preserving long-term stewardship of the land in a manner aligned with SFCC’s interests.”
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