Cherokee Moves to Buy Land For New Fire Station

A replacement fire station is on the way for Ball Ground.

The Cherokee County Commission on Tuesday voted to move forward with purchasing 2 acres along Valley Street, which will be used to replace Fire Station No. 2. 

The commission's vote was unanimous to purchase the tract for $67,000 — or $33,500 per acre. The county will use Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or SPLOST, to make the purchase.

The county will now move forward with the necessary steps before officially closing on the purchase. 

"Right now, we are working to determine that the property will be suitable to build a fire station upon," said Cherokee County Fire Chief Tim Prather. "Once the site study/testing is complete, we would move forward to officially complete the purchase." 

County Manager Jerry Cooper told the commission the station's current status "does not meet our needs for repair." According to county documents, the station currently lacks drive-through bays and "adequate" living quarters.

Furthermore, drainage issues often causes flooding in the station. 

Station 2 sits at 388 Groover Street. The site on Valley Street is near Coy M. Holcomb Street, between Ball Ground City Hall and Ball Ground Elementary School.

Cooper said the new location is prime as it provides quick access to Interstate 575 and to the school.

While a timeline has not been finalized, the county manager added he anticipates the new station will be built in the next two to three years.

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