Charleston’s historic fire stations could get a major upgrade if city officials approve a plan to fund the almost $12.7 million effort.
On July 11, the city’s Ways and Means Committee will discuss a series of requests to fund structural work on several downtown fire stations. Funding from the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program would go toward retrofitting Fire Station 2 and 3 at Meeting and Wentworth streets, as well as Fire Station 8 on Huger Street to better resist damage from earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding, and other natural disasters.
Built in 1887, the city calls Station 2 and 3 the most important station in Charleston due to its centralized location. The total estimated cost for improvements at this station is around $8.4 million, with FEMA providing 75 percent of the required funds if the grant applications are approved.
With the additional $3.9 million needed to improve Station 8, the total price tag for construction costs is almost $12.2 million. If the grant applications are approved for the retrofitting upgrades, the city would be required to provide $3 million in matching funds.
The Ways and Means Committee will also vote on a request for federal funding to install permanent back-up power systems at four fire stations. In addition to replacing undersized generators with new diesel generators and auxiliary fuel tanks at the stations on Meeting and Huger streets, Station 12 on Old Towne Road and Station 17 on Bohicket Road would also receive an upgrade.
The existing generators are said to range in age from 25-38 years old. The upgraded systems would be capable of providing full power to the four stations for a minimum of one week in the event of a massive power outage.
Altogether, the structural improvements and power system upgrades come with an estimated price tag of $12.7 million — all to ensure Charleston firefighters can remain above water.
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