Pa. firefighters seek stimulus funding for station, senior center

By Chris Foreman
The Tribune-Review

TRAFFORD, Pa. — Trafford's firefighters are trying for a $1.9 million grant through the federal economic stimulus program for the construction of a borough fire station and senior center.

Department leaders completed an application before the July 10 deadline for the $210 million in funding reserved for building fire facilities, Brian Lindbloom, fire chief and code enforcement officer, said Tuesday night.

Borough council approved plans for the new building at Brinton Avenue and Fourth Street earlier this year, but officials haven't identified the funding yet.

Officials say the fire hall on Duquesne Avenue is in terrible shape. That building once housed borough government and the police department before they moved to other facilities.

Fire officials also were planning to request help from state leaders about community development block grants or other funding sources, but some of those grants would require a local match.

"The borough is out of debt now, so they can dedicate some money to it, but they can't pay for the whole thing," Lindbloom said.

The federal government's review of applications will begin in September.

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