Marietta’s Fire Station 1 at the back of City Hall needs more space than it currently has. The city has been exploring the station’s expansion, and details are beginning to fall into place, MariettaTimes.com reported.
The fire department is seeking an expansion that would include space on the first floor for oversized bays for fire boats and equipment and space on the second floor for living quarters, restrooms, storage, showers, living room, laundry and kitchen area, the report said.
Initial plans for expansion have been drawn and construction could start next summer, according to the report. The sticking point: how to pay for it. At the November 29 session of council’s Fire and Police Committee, a fire official reported that the estimated construction cost that came with the initial drawings is $2.7 million.
The fire official asked that the city put $1.3 million in American Rescue Plan Funds toward the project, the report said. The remainder, he said, could come from a 30-year loan paid from the fire department’s share of a .15% income tax increase passed by voters in 2018. The increase was specifically designated for fire departments and streets, according to the report.
There will be a second part of the architecture and engineering proposal for detailed design, permitting, bidding and construction management. After that, a city official said he would like to see a timetable where there is a request for bid proposals in March, bids opened in May, and a construction start date set for July 1, the report said.