$12M in Bonds to Fund First Carbon-Neutral, Net-Zero Fire Station in Ann Arbor (MI)

The plan is to replace the existing station at 2415 S. Huron Parkway, which was built in 1966, with a net-zero station that would be the city’s first carbon-neutral facility. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com)
The plan is to replace the existing station at 2415 S. Huron Parkway, which was built in 1966, with a net-zero station that would be the city’s first carbon-neutral facility. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com)

Ryan Stanton
mlive.com
(TNS)

ANN ARBOR, Michigan — Ann Arbor officials have identified a funding solution to build the eco-friendly fire station of the future they’ve been talking about for years.

City Council voted 10-0 Tuesday, Jan. 21, to approve a notice of intent to issue $12 million in capital improvement bonds to finance some or all of the costs to construct, furnish and equip a new Fire Station 4 on the city’s east side.

The plan is to replace the existing station at 2415 S. Huron Parkway, which was built in 1966, with a net-zero station that would be the city’s first carbon-neutral facility.

It will produce energy through geothermal heating and cooling and solar panels, with an energy-efficient design, officials said.

In addition to aligning with the city’s A2Zero sustainability goals, the new station also is being designed to better accommodate firefighters of all gender identities.

Council Member Lisa Disch, D-1st Ward, expressed a “happy hooray,” saying she’s excited about the project and the renewable energy aspect is wonderful.

“It’s another proof of concept,” she said, saying it was exciting when Fire Chief Mike Kennedy presented the plan to the Planning Commission in 2023, but he noted at the time a lack of funding to carry out the project.

“And this is a way of getting money,” Disch said of the city’s decision to incur bond debt.

The city anticipates paying all or part of the debt and interest using funds the city receives from the state of Michigan for providing fire protection to state-owned facilities. The payback period will be up to 20 years.

Kennedy said in early October the city had just received its annual letter from the state on the matter, showing funding was dropping from $1.87 million in 2023-24 to $1.79 million in 2024-25. All the funds go into the city’s general fund and $1 million is transferred to a capital fund for fire station replacement, he said.

The state assigns values to all University of Michigan properties and annually depreciates them, Kennedy said, explaining how the funding amount is determined through a formula.

“However, while the state depreciates all state property, the city of Ann Arbor community value continues to grow,” he said. “This formula eliminates what should be significant increases to UM value with recent property acquisition and new construction.”

UM has further assisted the city by providing Fire Station 5 on UM property on Beal Avenue off Plymouth Road to the fire department, rent and maintenance free.

Mayor Christopher Taylor said the city’s firefighters work hard to keep everyone in the community safe and the city’s fire stations are critical. Fire Station 4 isn’t the only one reaching the end of its useful life, he said.

The bonds for the new station will be issued without going to voters unless a petition requesting a vote is signed by no less than 10% or 15,000 of the city’s registered voters and filed with the city clerk within 45 days after the notice of intent.

Kennedy said he’s aiming to have a construction contract go to council for approval in the next couple months, with the goal to break ground in the spring and have the new station completed and in use by late summer 2026.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free “3@3 Ann Arbor” daily newsletter.

©2025 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit mlive.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Inside FMI

Learn more about ISG, FMI, and FMI's Compartment Configurator that helps departments manage their compartment design and layout.
Steve Weikle

VA Firefighter, 70, Dies in Line of Duty After 49 Years of Service

Boiling Springs Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department firefighter Steve A. Weikle, 70, died following a medical emergency.