Douglas County commissioners will kick in an estimated $1.26 million toward construction of a new Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical station just south of Kansas University’s main campus.

Commissioners approved plans for the estimated $4.9 million center, to be located at the southeast corner of 19th and Iowa streets. The complex will accommodate equipment for fire and ambulance services, plus provide space for training programs and administrative offices.

Lawrence and county officials hope to have contractors hired by the end of the year, with the center to be open by early 2006.

The project, to be built on land donated by the Kansas University Endowment Association, will help the department provide efficient service by reducing response times, Deputy Chief Mark Bradford said.

In other action, commissioners:

• Agreed to boost ambulance fees to reflect growing costs and federal reimbursement rates; the rates would not become effective until approved by Lawrence city commissioners, a move that could come by the end of the month.
• Postponed, for a week, consideration of using up to $325,000 in federal terrorism grants to finance the purchase of a new mobile command vehicle. The vehicle would be used by emergency services when responding to tornados, managing major crime scenes and coordinating events such as the Douglas County Fair. County commissioners are expected to review a specific proposal Monday.