Ohio city seeks stimulus money to replace old fire stations

By Stephanie Warsmith
The Akron Beacon Journal

AKRON, Ohio — Akron is hoping for federal help in replacing two aging fire stations.

City Council voted Monday to seek $12.4 million in federal stimulus funds to rebuild stations No. 2 at 952 E. Exchange St. and No. 12 at 1852 W. Market St.

The city, however, will have serious competition.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimates it will receive $30 billion in applications for just $210 million in grants.

One advantage for Akron is that the projects are ready to go, with plans already drawn up, said Deputy Fire Chief Robert Ross.

"We're sitting on what we feel is a good situation," he said.

Both stations have serious structural problems, having been built with basements and not intended to handle the weight of the current equipment. The stations have scaffolding to support the weight of the vehicles and equipment, Ross said.

The cost estimate for replacing each station is $6,213,328. The city would agree to pay $1 million for the two projects.

Station No. 2, one of the oldest in Akron, would be torn down and rebuilt in the same spot at East Market, Arlington and East Exchange streets.

A historic statue and fountain in front of the station would be kept.

Akron is considering moving Station No. 12, now across from Acme No. 1, to city property on South Hawkins Avenue, just south of Westgate Circle and Swensons. The property is vacant and wooded.

Ross said poor soil conditions at the site would make it costly to build there, but the city is landlocked at the current location, which has room for one bay to serve two fire companies.

He said some of the cost could be recovered through the sale of the property that now houses the station.

The city expects to find out whether it will receive the funds by the end of September.

Copyright 2009 Akron Beacon Journal