The St. Paul Boulevard Fire Department is holding a vote from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. today to build a new firehouse — after an earlier measure failed in December.
The Dec. 30 bond vote lost with 485 no votes, 358 yes votes and three invalid votes.
The $21.8 million project involves building a new firehouse that would meet modern safety and staffing needs. With this proposal, the estimated impact for the average homeowner is $44 per year.
According to NFPA 1500 safety standards and cancer prevention standards, the current firehouse that was built in 1990 no longer fits the needs of the staff or the proper health and safety standards.
Some of the issues include frequent plumbing and HVAC failures, lack of space for proper storage, fitness, wellness and training. The firehouse also only has one shower and does not have any private gender-inclusive bunkrooms.
Chief Ken Stavalone regrouped after the December vote and has held additional meetings with the community to answer questions about the project.
For more information about the firehouse project visit https://www.stpaulfireny.gov/content/new_building_info/.
— Kerria Weaver works as the Government and You reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle, with a focus on how government actions affect communities and neighborhoods in Rochester and in Monroe County.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: St. Paul Fire District votes again today on $21.8M firehouse plan
Reporting by Kerria Weaver, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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By Kerria Weaver, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | USA TODAY Network
