NEW STATION EYED — At a special meeting Monday, Follansbee Council discussed whether to move forward with plans to renovate the city’s fire station at its present site or to build a new one elsewhere. -- Warren Scott

FOLLANSBEE — Follansbee Council Monday considered whether to move forward with plans to renovate the city’s fire station near the intersection of state Route 2 and Allegheny Street or to build a new one elsewhere.

Mayor Scott McMahon noted last year $2.7 million in federal funds were allocated for the renovations by U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and former U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin.

He said he’s been assured the city will receive it, but Joe Edmiston, an independent grant writer working for the city, has recommended reapplying for $1.5 million in state funds intended for the federal grant’s local match.

He said since then, an old question has arisen as to whether a new station should be built instead.

Noting the project has been on the drawing boards for a few years, McMahon said he hopes whatever construction is pursued, that it can be completed next year.

Councilman at large John Schwertfeger said, “I’m not in favor of putting money into a bad building.”

He said he didn’t have a specific site in mind but believes a new firehouse should be built at the city’s north end.

City Fire Chief Larry Rea said while most of the city’s volunteer firefighters lived within a couple of blocks in the past, its future members are more likely to come from the more highly populated Parkview and Highland Hills areas.

Rea said he has mixed feelings about both options, having “grown up” in the downtown station.

“We are in no shape or form against a move,” he told council.

He confirmed an estimate in 2021 for renovations to the existing station was $4 million, meaning the city would fall short of the needed funds if the state money isn’t awarded.

Second Ward Councilman John Casinelli said a new building would likely be less expensive because crews would not need to build an addition onto the current station a number of feet off the ground.

Designs by M&G Architects and Engineers of Wheeling call for the current station to be extended south onto a vacant city-owned lot to allow its bays to be expanded for modern, larger trucks and expanded space in front for the vehicles to be pulled in and out.

The designs included a 720-square-foot meeting room, more storage space for equipment, sleeping quarters and a fitness room.

They were paid for from funds generated by a 1 percent sales tax adopted by the city in 2017. The ordinance establishing the tax called for $50,000 generated by it each year to go to the firehouse.

Council members questioned whether M&G’s designs could be adapted for a new building and whether the city would be required to advertise the project again.

City Attorney Michael Gaudio advised looking into costs for an environmental study and review by the state fire marshal’s office that would be required for a new location.

Fifth Ward Councilman Joe Kafton asked whether it’s necessary to have beds for a volunteer department.

Rea said volunteer firefighters often sleep on a couch at the current station so they can be available for extended hours of the day.

Kafton suggested looking into new fire stations that have been built elsewhere.

Resident Denise Arthurs said she often notices local fire stations when traveling and suggested a modern firehouse may help to attract new residents.

McMahon said it’s likely a new building would be one of the first things visitors see, so it should be aesthetically pleasing.

“I would not put it on Route 2. That (property) is pretty valuable,” he said.

Following the meeting, he explained he would want the station to be near Route 2 but not facing it because city-owned property once occupied by Jo-Jon’s and other land directly along the highway is prime for development.

The mayor closed the meeting by suggesting a work group be formed, with two representatives of council and two representatives of the fire department.

He said he and City Manager Chris Manack-Stover will contact M&G about modifying the designs.