Expanded, New Firehouse Makes Progress In Westfield
WESTFIELD, NJ — The long-awaited plan for a new expanded fire headquarters for Firehouse #2 is making progress in Westfield.
At the Feb. 27 meeting, the Westfield Town Council unanimously passed the first reading of a bond ordinance authorizing the purchase of a single-family home at 1037 Central Ave., on the corner of Central and Sycamore. The home is adjacent to the Firehouse #2 property.
“The owner is finally ready to sell his property that the Town has been seeking to purchase for over 15 years to accommodate the future expansion and renovation of Firehouse #2 into the new Fire Headquarters facility,” said Mayor Shelley Brindle at the meeting.
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The $725,000 bond ordinance includes $35,000 for a down payment and $15,000 for costs associated with the purchase including architect’s fees, accounting, engineering and inspection costs, legal expenses, and other expenses.
“This renovation became a greater priority in the last several years as the existing firehouse became less capable of accommodating new equipment, proper contamination protocols, and female firefighters,” said Brindle.
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An assessment of the property was done in 2015 under Mayor Andy Skibitsky’s administration which led up to the purchase.
Brindle noted that the plans for a new firehouse headquarters are completely independent of plans for One Westfield Place.
“Once the new headquarters are completed (which is years away), the current historic firehouse will serve as the secondary firehouse indefinitely until an alternate location and funding sources are secured, and plans for an adaptive reuse of the historic building are approved,” said Brindle.
A second and final reading of the ordinance along with public comment is expected at the March 12 Council meeting.
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