Times-Picayune (New Orleans)
Copyright 2007 The Times-Picayune Publishing Company
OLD METAIRIE, La. — Construction is under way to replace an Old Metairie fire station damaged in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
The rebuilding of Station 14, at 1714 Edinburgh St., is part of a parish plan to renovate East Jefferson’s nine existing stations and add an additional outpost near East Jefferson General Hospital.
Station 14 was destroyed when it took on more than 4 feet of floodwater after the storm. Acting Superintendent David Saunders said the $2.5 million project should take one year to complete.
Jefferson Parish Councilwoman Jennifer Sneed, who represents the area, said the parish coordinated design plans with the area’s civic group, the South Beverly Knolls Civic Association
“The exterior will blend in with the neighborhood,” said George Rigamer, spokesman for the Fire Department.
The two-story fire house will include decorative residential-style masonry and a mezzanine, according to Rigamer and Greg Gardiol, director of architecture at N-Y Associates Inc., the firm that handled the design of the station.
In addition to the aesthetics, Rigamer said the new station will be able to withstand hurricane-force winds and operate with its own power supply, if necessary.
There is one more change planned that should also make the station more hurricane resistant: the sleeping quarters will be moved to the second floor.
But until the new building has been completed, Station 14’s firefighters will continue to work from their temporary home, a trailer located a few blocks away at Wally Pontiff Jr. Playground.