December public hearing set for new northeast Columbia fire station

City officials expect a proposed new fire station in northeast Columbia to respond to about 1,000 calls for service annually.

The fire station will be built at St. Charles and East Richland roads, and the council set a December public hearing for the project during Monday night’s meeting. Columbia voters approved the $2.5 million project in a 2015 capital improvement sales tax extension.

Columbia staff members say it’s been difficult to find the right location for the voter-approved station. The city council packet says one property owner in that area opposes a fire station being so close to their home.