Draft plans for a new ranger station in Mercer are being created and a call for bids for the new 15,000 square foot facility is expected to go out sometime before Spring. According to WXPR, the current ranger station is comprised of a couple of garages, outbuildings and the actual station which was built in 1933 as a garage. The current space at times accommodates 12 people. Besides having more room in a new station, the main reason for the new building is to have heated garage space for firefighting equipment. Being able to have equipment completely at the ready will enable the fire service to operate more effectively. The new facility will cost about $4.3 million dollars and construction is due to start in spring and be finished by the end of 2023.