By Kim Bryan
The Birmingham News
HOMEWOOD — The foundation will likely be poured for Homewood’s new Fire Station No. 1 by the end of the month, Mayor Scott McBrayer said.
McBrayer praised Councilman David Hooks for lending his expertise to help complete a grant application for the project on 29th Court South off Central Avenue.
The city hopes to get a piece of the state’s allocation of federal stimulus money to help pay for the project, McBrayer said.
''Everything is fine. Everything’s on schedule,’' he said at last week’s council meeting. ''You should tour the property. It looks so different. Just see J.J. Bischoff to get a hard hat.’'
Fire Chief John Bresnan said the station is scheduled to be completed by March. The project manager is Tim Coker, owner of Construction Program Management.
City officials had requested and received bids for the cost to build the station, but delayed awarding one until applying for the grant, McBrayer said. Most of the dozen or so firms that bid on the project agreed to honor their prices until the city finds out if it qualifies for grant money, he said.
Several projected starting dates have been pushed back since Station No. 1, which adjoined the old City Hall building, was sold in September 2007.
The 14,000-square-foot facility will replace the former site that was razed almost two years ago, Bresnan said. Since then, Station 1 employees have been operating out of double-wide trailers and rental housing.
Asked about noise issues at the site, which is near residences, business and Central Park, Bresnan said he doesn’t believe it will be an issue. Firefighters have already been responding to calls from the location, where temporary facilities were set up for firefighters and fire equipment.
''Those that live and work on Central should feel like emergency services are ‘right next door,’'' Bresnan said.
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