CLEARFIELD – While most of us were hoping Santa would bring us things like a new bicycle or a new coat, the Clearfield Volunteer Fire Co. was hoping for a new house, a new fire house, that is.
For some time, the department has shown interest in the former site of the Clearfield Moose, lost to fire in January 2004. Clearfield Borough Mayor Patty Gilliland said the fire company should snatch the property while its on the market.
“It would make it available, and they could go on with their grant request,” she said.
Council President Jim Leitzinger reminded council that the property could take the parcel through eminent domain and then have a board of review set the property’s price.
The plan calls for a building with three bays facing Front Street and three bays facing Second Street and about 20 parking spaces.
If build, the fire house would replace all four in Clearfield Borough.
“This is a sign of the times,” Gilliland said, adding that when the four houses were built, Clearfield had two active railroad lines and a river that flooded.
Leitzinger said the fire department received a letter 10 years ago stating that the departments needed to consolidate to continue to receive state funds.
“We don’t need four stations … 50 years ago we did,” Leitzinger said.
For now the borough is set to inquire as to the asking price for the piece of land.