WEIRTON — An official with the union representing Weirton’s firefighters approached city council Monday, seeking answers on the status of an ongoing plan to renovate, and potentially reopen, the County Road Fire Station.

Lt. Mike Serafine, president of the Weirton IAFF Local 948, noted the idea of reopening the County Road station has been tossed around for some time, with officials pointing to potential development in Weirton’s north end.

“A couple years ago, we began this endeavor with County Road,” he said, adding firefighters have been doing the majority of renovations at the station, which was closed more than 20 years ago and used primarily as storage in the time since.

Funds for the renovations came in the form of $150,000 from the city’s American Rescue Plan Act allotment, approved under the previous city administration.

Current members of council and firefighters met in a work session in May to discuss the project, but Serafine said that was the end of discussions.

“We’ve been waiting since May,” he said. “I can’t get an answer.”

Mayor Dean Harris, though, explained, as part of their discussions in May, he and others made it clear they wanted to address employee salaries, including the recently approved realignment of non-union pay scales, before moving forward on the County Road project.

“We’ve been pretty clear,” Harris said. “To say we haven’t communicated isn’t exactly fact.”

City Manager Mike Adams also referenced concerns expressed over the summer of potential physical issues with the building at County Road, which have since been addressed.

“You don’t want to put a bunch of money into something potentially dangerous,” Adams said.

Among the goals of reopening the County Road station is the eventual hiring of six new firefighters, which would allow two firefighters per shift to be located in the city’s north end.

Ward 6 Councilman Anthony Rocchio said he and others on council have been looking at when to have another workshop.

“It’s coming soon,” Rocchio said.

Ward 5 Councilwoman Brittany Holloway agreed, saying there are plans to have another workshop soon to continue discussions.

Ward 7 Councilman Chris Jonczak offered assurance that the project and the firefighters were not being forgotten.

“You guys are a priority to me,” he said.