Greenwichs Central Fire Station renovation project will once again go before the Board of Selectmen when the board meets Thursday morning. And Fire Chief Peter Siecienski says he hopes the project, which has received various levels of approval, may finally move forward.
The project is long overdue and the firefighters have certainly been looking for something concrete to happen, said Siecienski.
The selectmen will vote on whether to give the project Municipal Improvement Status. If granted, this would set in motion plans to demolish the existing 39,500-square-foot Central Fire Station to make way for a new one. The replacement would include three floors, a 32,540-square-foot basement level for storage and a 3,000-square-foot mechanical penthouse.
The new station would also be set back 52 feet from the curb of Havemeyer Place curb, allowing fire trucks to turn onto the street safely. It would also create a larger space for inspecting fire equipment and vehicles and for an underground vault for an electric transformer and backup generator.
A fire station has existed at Havemeyer Place since 1937 because that location allows the department to respond quickly to downtown emergencies.
First Selectman Peter Tesei made a deal in March with Republicans on the Board of Estimate and Taxation to delay construction until fiscal year 2014. That timetable would remain in effect.
Architectural firms that evaluated the building created an option that would replace the existing station with a smaller building providing a setback, at an estimated cost of $20.5 million. A further study estimated the project would cost $24.1 million.
The Board of Selectmen will vote on Municipal Improvement Status for the project Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Central Fire Station, 15 Havemeyer Place.
Last week the Representative Town Meeting approved a plan to move the Central Fire Station to temporary quarters at the Horseneck Lane commuter parking lot. I think the firefighters are looking forward to getting out of a building thats demonstrated health hazards, even if it may be a temporary facility, said Siecienski.
Do you think the Central Fire Station project should be a town priority? Comment below or send responses to ahelhoski@mainstreetconnect.us.
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