County: Towson Manor Park Still Possible Firehouse Site

Baltimore County officials are refuting reports that Towson Manor Park is no longer in the running as a possible site for a new firehouse.

"The Towson Manor Park is still under consideration, but we are working to find other sites," said Ellen Kobler, a county spokeswoman.

Kobler did not confirm how many or which sites are being evaluated.

State Sen. Jim Brochin said Yolanda Winkler, a county lobbyist, had assured him on Wednesday that Towson Manor Park was "off the table." He said Winkler had asked him to call off a Thursday afternoon rally organized by residents protesting the potential use of the park.

"It wasn't my rally to call off," he said.

Brochin said county officials had told them they would put out a news release stating that the park was no longer being considered.

"I have no idea what [county officials are] thinking," Brochin said. "I'm at a loss. I'm getting different stories from them every day."

The Towson state senator is in the process of drafting a bill that would require legislative approval before developing on park land.

County officials confirmed plans to sell the current Towson Fire Station, the North Point Government Center and a police substation in Randallstown earlier this week. Funds garnered from the sales would go toward the construction of new facilities. Any remaining proceeds would benefit school improvement projects, including installing air conditioning at Dumbarton Middle School.