I-Jobs Grant Could Lead to Construction of Two Fire Stations in Cedar Rapids
By Alyson Hunt, Reporter
A fire truck sits in the garage of Fire Station #8 on Wiley Boulevard SW in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday, June 15, 2004. (The Gazette)
By
Aaron Hepker
Story Created:
Sep 2, 2010 at 9:20 PM CST
Story Updated:
Sep 3, 2010 at 3:21 PM CST
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Twenty-three flood-related projects across Iowa are now in the running for $30 million from I-JOBS. The I-JOBS review committee ranked the top projects for that funding Thursday. Cedar Rapids is in line for the largest grant.
It would go for a new Central Fire Station along First Avenue East that would replace the one the flood destroyed in 2008. The $6.6 million would also pay for a smaller fire station on the west side of town near O Avenue and Edgewood Road.
The thought of a fire station on the city's growing west side brings relief to both neighbors and first responders. Cedar Rapids Fire Chief Stephen Reid said, “Since the flood we've been fractured for quite a while and that has had an impact on the service to our community."
A new fire station on the west side of town would cut response time by at least three minutes. This is encouraging for Archie Ellison, a west side resident, "It's a great security knowing that you don't have to hold your breath for five or ten minutes and that emergency responders will be able to arrive much sooner.”
Staffing is not an issue if the city gets the green light for a west side fire station. Cedar Rapids Fire Dept. spokesman Greg Buelow says, "The city wouldn't need station three near Coe College, but would shift its staff to the new west side location."
Building a new central fire station paves the way for some much needed space. Buelow says, "It would add another 10,000 square feet to the central fire station, it would also allow us to have housing for specialty vehicles and training facilities."
The full I-JOBS board is expected to give final approval for the funding September 15.
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