Vote on Lido and Point Lookout FD Bond Referendum Set for October 21

Submitted by Lido and Point Lookout Fire Department

At a meeting on Sept. 3, the commissioners of the Lido and Point Lookout Fire District voted unanimously to move forward with plans for the renovation of the Point Lookout Firehouse and the construction of a new Lido Firehouse.

The commissioners have authorized a vote date of Tuesday, Oct. 21 for residents within the fire district to vote on the proposed plan, which calls for a $6.5 million bond to cover the project’s cost.

The proposal is a revised plan from the previous referendum presented to voters in 2013 and was adopted after a series of meetings with community residents. It addresses structural deficiencies that plague both firehouses and the lack of space needed for today’s modern firefighting equipment.

The new plan calls for the renovation of the Point Lookout Firehouse, with the addition of a second floor to accommodate a training room, company rooms and district offices.

The Lido Firehouse would be demolished and a new firehouse would be built in that space, providing an enlarged apparatus bay, more training space for members and shower facilities for volunteers. After careful evaluation, the district found it is more cost effective to build a new firehouse than to renovate the existing building. In addition, this option gives the district the ability to expand in the future, if ever needed.

“After months of meeting with the community, we are excited to present this revised plan,” said Steven Weitz, chairman of the Lido and Point Lookout Fire District.

“We appreciate the feedback offered by residents and are confident that this proposal not only addresses our critical building needs, but is a sound investment for the community.”

To learn more about the project, residents are invited to attend a series of community meetings. They are planned for Sept. 23 at Point Lookout Firehouse, Sept. 30 at Lido Firehouse, Oct. 15 at Point Lookout Firehouse and Oct. 16 at Lido Firehouse. All meetings will begin at 7:30 p.m. During these meetings, the specifics of the project will be discussed and residents will have the opportunity to ask any questions they may have.