Pierce County approves $10,000 purchase of land for future Otter Creek fire station

The Pierce County Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of parcel #069-031 (5955-A Owens Rd., Patterson) totaling 2.77 acres for $10,000 to reserve a site for a future Otter Creek Fire Station.

Fire Chief Santo Nino told the board the county’s population growth and site constraints at the current station make a new property desirable. He outlined operational advantages of the Owens Road parcel — room for a helicopter landing pad, designation as a mass-casualty point and access from three roads — and described the current site as unable to accommodate necessary improvements. "The community is growing and with the community growing the Fire Station needs to grow," Santo Nino said.

Chairman Neal Bennett said the site is in a suitable location. Commissioner David Lowman moved to purchase the parcel for future use as a fire station; Commissioner Randy Dixon seconded and the motion carried. The minutes record the agreed purchase amount as $10,000; they do not list a construction timeline or additional funding authorizations for station design or build-out.

No further conditions, site plan requirements or timeline for construction were recorded in the minutes; next steps will depend on future budget decisions and project planning.