New Kent supervisors approve purchase of land, possibly leading to new fire station in Lanexa

With the FY2022-23 budget season right around the corner, it seems that New Kent County supervisors already have one Capital Improvement Project (CIP) in mind that will assist with bringing in additional safety measures for citizens in the eastern portion of the county.

County leaders agreed to approve the purchase of 4.77 acres of land in the Lanexa area during the Jan. 26 morning work session. That land, located at the corner of Waterside Drive and Pocahontas Trail (Route 60) was the former home of the R&D International Hotel.

During Wednesday morning’s meeting, County Administrator Rodney Hathaway advised county leaders that the $325,000 purchase would be one of the key proponents of his recommendation to build a new fire station in the Lanexa area. The current Station 4 is suffering from several problems, with many of them being structural according to the county administrator. Hathaway added that his proposed CIP would include the construction of a new facility on the 4.77 acres of land and would cost roughly $4 million.

The current fire station in Lanexa has dealt with several setbacks as far back as 2008. In 2010, approximately $22,000 was spent to install doors and a concrete apron, as well as gravel for a driveway and turnaround area. Fundraising events took place in 2010 that resulted in $55,000.

The facility is currently a 40×50 foot steel, two bay structure that currently stores one fire truck and ambulance and had been used to store a river rescue boat on the concrete pad. It has also been known to have several problems in the past including heating and plumbing, essential elements to keep the items stored inside protected.

With the continuing growth of New Kent County, which is the second fastest growing county in the state of Virginia, many supervisors believe the purchase of the land will assist with safety and much needed assistance to that area.

“In that area, the site makes sense for us,” said District 3 representative Patricia Paige. “If we can purchase the land without borrowing, I’m all for it.”

Hathaway plans to formally present his proposed FY2022-23 budget at a future regular board meeting.