COOS BAY - The Coos Bay City Council approved a purchase agreement Tuesday to buy property for a new downtown fire station.

The city has agreed to pay the First Presbyterian Church $960,000 for its property along Elrod Avenue.

The contract also would provide the church up to $50,000 to pay for moving expenses and storage for up to four years.

If the offer is accepted by the church’s regional leadership, as expected, the sale will close Feb. 1, 2009 allowing the city to begin demolition work next spring.

The council also hired HGE Inc., of Coos Bay, to serve as the project architect.

Fire Chief Stan Gibson said the sale keeps the city on a timeline to hold a dedication ceremony for the new station in July 2010.