Through their pastor Paul Campbell, members of the Gospel Peace Church in Logan have expressing interest in acquiring city-owned property at 76 East, 200 North. That property is now occupied by LCFD Station 70, which will be vacated in January or February of 2024 when a new fire station comes online across the street. Members of the Gospel Peace Church are shown here during services currently being held in the Whittier Center.
LOGAN – The Logan Municipal Council had nearly no takers when they invited members of the community to weigh in on the sale of two properties during public hearings on Dec. 5.
During the period of time reserved for public comment, only Paul Campbell, a pastor of the Gospel Peace Church in Logan, spoke up to express interest in acquiring the city-owned property at 76 East, 200 North.
That property has been occupied since 1974 by Station 70 of the Logan City Fire Department. That facility will shortly be replaced by a new fire station under construction across 200 North on the corner of 100 East.
Gospel Peace Church is a Christian church associated with the Gospel Grace Church in Salt Lake City. Since its launch in September of 2021, Campbell explained that his congregation has grown from about 40 adult members to more than double that in terms of adults, with children raising that total to about 150.
The Gospel Peace Church has been holding services on Sunday mornings in the Whittier Center at 290 North, 400 East since its inception, but has nearly outgrown that facility.
“That’s why we’re interested in acquiring this property,” he added.
Recalling that one of the reasons for building the new fire station was to meet seismic safety standards, council member Jeannie Simmonds asked City Attorney Craig Carlston if selling Station 70 “as is” was legal.
Via telephone, retiring council member Tom Jensen replied that state safety standards for a fire station, police substation or hospital emergency room are much more stringent than that for an office building that might be used for other purposes.
Carlston agreed.
According to Logan City Fire Chief Brad Hannig, his department had simply outgrown the old Station 70 at 76 East, 200 North.
“The size and complexity of the fire department’s operations is significantly different today than when Station 70 was constructed,” he explained. “That building houses fire and EMS crews 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, as well as the Fire Prevention Bureau; EMS operations and training; and the administrative offices of our staff.”
In addition to the issue of crowding, LCFD officials listed numerous other problems associated with the aging station with the new facility will address. Those include improving energy efficiency, providing quarters for female fire fighters and addressing concerns about seismic safety.
The other property being considered for disposal by city officials is the so-called Plaza 45 building, located at 41 North Main Street adjacent to the new Jim and Carol Plaza. The Plaza 45 building was part of a city initiative to revitalize the downtown area by creating a much-needed public gathering place. The site of the new downtown plaza at 55 North Main Street is directly across from the Logan Tabernacle.
Five buildings of varying ages and historic integrity once occupied that site at 41, 45, 47, 55 and 67 North Main addresses.
The old Emporium building and adjacent structures to the north were demolished in January of 2022 to make way for the plaza project.
The remaining structures at 41 and 45 North Main underwent a $1.6 million facelift, with the intent of hopefully making them attractive to private restaurateurs.
No one spoke up at the public hearing on Dec. 5 to express interest in the Plaza 45 structure. But the city has received several offers to acquire that property from would-be developers, according to Kirk Jensen, the city’s economic development director.
In his statement, Jensen added that the sale of those properties has been anticipated for some time and is expected to be concluded soon.
Additional information about the proposed sale and transfer of the Plaza 45 property can be obtained from the Logan City Economic Development Office by calling 435-716-9015.
Additional information about the proposed sale of the LCFD Station 70 property can be obtained from City Purchasing Agent Lori Mathys by calling 435-716-9655.
The next meeting of the Logan Municipal Council will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024 in the Council Chambers at 290 North, 100 West in Logan.