Downtown Comstock is getting a tornado siren. The Comstock Township Downtown Development Authority voted unanimously at its June 24th meeting to purchase and install an emergency warning siren, not to exceed $60,000, from West Shore Services.
The siren — a Federal Signal 2001 AC/DC unit — would be installed at 5819 Comstock Avenue and includes battery backup to keep it operational during power outages. West Shore Services is the exclusive Michigan representative for Federal warning systems and has held pricing on the unit since 2024. The base siren cost is approximately $27,900, with control equipment, software, monitoring infrastructure, and integration with the township’s three fire stations making up the remainder of the capped budget.
The project has been in discussion for some time. Township Supervisor Ben Martin and DDA Secretary/Treasurer William Knight brought vendor research and a detailed proposal to the board, and County Commission Liaison John Gisler made the formal motion to approve the purchase. The board framed this first siren as a starting point — get one working unit in the downtown area, demonstrate that it functions, and use that track record to pursue funding for additional coverage across the township. Annual maintenance on the siren is estimated at approximately $1,300 per year.
Gisler also encouraged the board to connect with the Kalamazoo County Office of Emergency Management about potential grant funding to offset costs or support future installations.
A community member who addressed the board during public comment and shared updates on development projects at Kings Highway and River Street offered a personal donation toward the siren project if the board voted to proceed.
The DDA serves the downtown Comstock area along the Kalamazoo River corridor. Residents with questions can contact the authority through Comstock Charter Township at comstockmi.gov.
