By Kara Lopp
The Charlotte Observer, N.C.

MINT HILL, N.C. — By the time the Bridges at Mint Hill shopping complex is built, firefighters in the town will need a new ladder truck.

And they want developers to help foot the bill.

The mall's planned five-story hotel is the main concern, said Mint Hill Fire Chief Jeremy Russell. The department's 21-year- old ladder truck doesn't have the reach or the water pumping capacity to adequately fight a fire there, he said.

Representatives from development firms General Growth Properties and Childress Klein Properties confirmed their hotel plans at a meeting last week.

The 215-acre mall, to be built off Lawyers Road near Interstate 485, also will have three anchor department stores, a movie theater, a bookstore and two combination vehicle-pedestrian bridges across Goose Creek.

Developers have not named any businesses besides Belk.

Russell, who has been talking with the town manager about his concerns, said the mall's developers should help pay for the truck needed to protect their building. Ladders on firetrucks cannot be extended; a new truck must be purchased, he said. An average ladder truck costs $600,000-$800,000.

"They're obviously going to make the money off the development and with any development comes some basic needs ... for service," Russell said.

"Hopefully these developers understand that and hopefully they're willing to help not just our department but the police and the other utilities."

The current ladder is 75 feet long, but the truck it's attached to must be parked away from a burning building for firefighter safety, Russell said. The ideal distance is 20-30 feet, but sidewalks, trees and other obstacles usually keep firefighters on the ladder at least 40 feet away.

A new truck that pumps at least double the current 1,000 gallons of water per minute also would be needed for a building of that size, Russell said.

Town Manager Brian Welch said developers are aware of the problem. "I can tell you the developers are aware that there is a need although we have not entered into full-blown negotiating," he said.

While developers did not return e-mails or phone calls about the fire department's concerns, spokeswoman Nicole Spreck said, "We are very excited about this project and will continue to work closely with the city."

Copyright 2008 The Charlotte Observer