Plymouth unveils new fire station

PLYMOUTH — Officials from Plymouth unveiled their new 11,600-square-foot fire station with a ceremony and an open house on Saturday. The Milliron Foundation, led by the late Grant Milliron, donated $2.8 million toward the construction of the station, which had a $3.5 million price tag, according to Plymouth fire Chief Richard Metzger. During the ceremony, Metzger also noted a one-time state grant for $600,000 also played a pivotal role in the building of the station, located at 184 Sandusky St. on the site of the former Plymouth High School. Metzger thanked state Sen. Mark Romanchuk for the grant during the dedication. Because of the donation and grant, no new local tax money paid for the station. Karl Million, son of the late Grant Milliron, also spoke at the dedication. He noted there was just a $250,000 gap in funds after all the bills came in on the project, which the foundation also covered. A hose uncoupling helped open the building, and a 1928 Model A fire truck was pushed inside the new station to represent the typical ribbon-cutting seen at most new venues. Plymouth Mayor Cassaundra Fryman also spoke at the event, which took place exactly one year after the project broke ground. Those with the Plymouth Volunteer Firefighters Association has also been busy raising funds through donations to cover costs, equipment, and moving expenses. The firehouse will have living arrangements for up to nine firefighters for the department, which has 24 total volunteers. There are four bays for eight total trucks, and the station also includes a mezzanine for mechanical equipment, storage and training. Though tours were given on Saturday, the station will not officially open for another two weeks, according to Metzger.