WHEELING, W.Va. — Wheeling City Council took a first step Tuesday evening toward a major investment in the city’s fire stations, considering an ordinance that would authorize spending for renovations to existing stations.
If the ordinance passes, the city would provide $1.5 million for fire station renovations across different city wards. The funding would come directly from Congress.
Fire Chief Jim Blazier said the money is intended for upgrades to aging facilities.
“That earmark has been set aside for renovations to our older fire stations,” Blazier said. “As a lot of people know we have a new headquarters here in our city and we have a lot our stations are older, our oldest being built in 1931.”
Blazier said the 1931 station in the Edgewood section of Wheeling would receive the largest share of the work.
“We’re going to improve infrastructure and some of the amenities at the stations, kitchens and things like that to make it more comfortable for the first responders,” he said.
Blazier said he hopes the ordinance will pass at the next meeting so planning can begin, noting that contractors would need to work around operating fire stations.
“Hopefully we get a pass on the ordinance and then we can start moving forward with plans and our contractors are going to have to work around operating fire stations,” he said. “So, there’s a lot of planning involved in the work process as well. So, it’s going to be an exciting project and I’m glad to get it off the ground.”