City to revive old CSH fire station

Published 7:00 am Wednesday, May 28, 2025

The city plans to open a new fire station on the former Central State Hospital campus, though the timeframe for that to happen is uncertain. 

One domino has fallen as Milledgeville City Council in January approved a $200,000 purchase of the former CSH fire station near the corner of Thomas Field Road and Peacock Street, right next door to the hospital’s old police department. That purchase from a private party was made with funds the city received through the American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, the $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package doled out during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The fire station deal was made to renovate the existing building on the 3.7-acre property and eventually staff it with city firefighters. The next objective is to find funding to accomplish those tasks, according to City Manager Hank Griffeth.

“While the state was paying the county to provide their fire protection [on the CSH campus], that funding potential has not, as of yet, been offered to the city,” Griffeth said. “So, much of the timing will deal with the potential for the funding necessary. Not only will there be the need for funding to renovate the building, but the funding is also needed to staff the station. Some potential grant funding is being researched for the staff function.” 

Fire protection on the CSH campus has only within the last year or so belonged to the city. According to court records, the state in 1999 entered into a 50-year, $550,000 annual contract with the county to provide fire coverage on the hospital grounds. The state stopped payment in 2020, and the county sued in July 2021. The short version is that through a lengthy court process, the state got out of the fire services contract. 

Once the lawsuit was settled, fire protection at CSH fell to the city since the campus is within city limits. Griffeth said city officials had looked at the possibility of acquiring the old Baldwin County Fire Station No. 2 on Mobley Road on the CSH grounds in order to meet the need. That building, though, is in “terrible shape physically and environmentally” according to the city manager, and has not been surplussed to sell by the state. 

The city instead purchased the old CSH fire station from Old Phoenix Center LLC, which previously bought it from the Central State Hospital Local Redevelopment Authority in late 2019, per Baldwin County Tax Assessor records. The property’s most recent use was as a base for Amerimed Emergency Medical Services. 

“Because of the requirements for ISO ratings, there will need to be a station in that area within in the next six to 12 months,” Griffeth said. “The opportunity to purchase the former fire station building availed itself and the purchase was a good planning move based on the future needs. The fire station building is in great shape and had some excellent renovations completed by the previous owner.”

The ISO ratings from the Insurance Services Office measure the fire protection capabilities of a community. A separate measure called the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule is used to determine ISO. The FSRS looks at different areas such as emergency communication systems, proximity and number of fire stations, water supply, and community risk reduction through fire education and investigation offerings. 

The ISO ratings can play a role in determining home insurance premiums. A good ISO can lower insurance costs, and vice versa. 

The city may also be interested in the former police station building located right next to the former and future firehouse as a sort of fire annex. The Central State Hospital Local Redevelopment Authority is more than willing to hand the old police station off. The eight members present at the May 20 meeting voted unanimously to gift the property to the city for its use. 

Once word reached Griffeth last Wednesday, he had to pull the reins. 

“While the City appreciates the intention and partnership of your Board approving the conveyance of the old CSH Police Department Building, the individual who spoke with you was not authorized to speak and/or negotiate on behalf of the city or its elected officials,” Griffeth told CSHLRA chairman Calvin McMullen in an email that was also shared with The Union-Recorder. “I will start the conversation with those officials to determine if there is interest in conveyance of the property to the City and, if so, arrange for a Phase 1 Environmental Assessment on the property. If Mayor and Council wish to move forward with the conveyance, a formal request in terms of a Council Resolution and the necessary closing forms and processes will be initiated with your Board. I will keep you posted on the status of the discussion and process.”