In the petition, Ferguson wrote that the city is “taking a wrecking ball” to the station after a “cursory review” that didn’t seriously consider alternatives like other sites or renovating and expanding the existing station. The petition calls on the Roanoke City Council to reconsider the demolition and come up with two alternatives.

Roanoke Fire Chief David Hoback called those claims “false,” and said the decision to replace the station was arrived at following a study by Roanoke’s Spectrum Design that found no other viable sites in the area that would allow necessary response times. The building itself, built in the 1920s, isn’t adequate for modern equipment and a staff of both men and women, he said.

A remediation assessment found that the age of the building, the way it was constructed and a lack of air handling systems contributed to the mold growth. The spokesman says the assessment also found that extensive renovations would be necessary to prevent the problem from recurring.

The city and fire department are expected to present a renovation proposal in the middle of next month. The building remains occupied.

The custom-built trailer, equipped with nearly one thousand feet of hoses, a generator, dry hydrant, ladder and other tools, was funded by a $20,000 state grant. Old Fort Niagara Executive Director Robert Emerson told WBFO  the previous method for dealing with fires was inadequate.

The custom-built trailer, equipped with nearly one thousand feet of hoses, a generator, dry hydrant, ladder and other tools, was funded by a $20,000 state grant. Old Fort Niagara Executive Director Robert Emerson told WBFO  the previous method for dealing with fires was inadequate.