A red sign announces the future site of Central Cass Fire Department, but it will likely be next spring before there’s anything else to see, Fire Chief Jeff Locke said Thursday.

A board formed effective April 15, 2011, governs the department protecting the Cassopolis and much of LaGrange and Jefferson townships.

The new firehouse will be constructed at 23201 M-60, replacing the old Cassopolis fire station at 139 N. Broadway St., which the department continues to use in the interim along with the village’s equipment.

Locke said August has been devoted to clearing the site of the former Clark Equipment buildings.

A loan application has been submitted to U.S. Rural Development. Once it’s approved, the fire department has until March 2013 to secure the financing.