Despite disagreement from those interested in the historical integrity of the West Side Fire Station, Kent City Council voted to move forward with plans to change out its current flat roof for a peaked one.
The decision to update the station on North Mantua Street is a year in the making, City Manager Dave Ruller told city council last week. Staff manning the project had to address three aspects during planning: historical value, stewardship of public dollars and functional value of the structure to the people housed inside it.
The prominent issue was related to the historical accuracy of the update, specifically plans for the building’s historically flat roof. Though city administration continues to be mindful of historic preservation and have advocated such in the past, Ruller said, more than just that had to be considered.