By CAROL GORGA WILLIAMS
Another step in the process to replacing the deteriorating, unsafe Asbury Park firehouse is poised for action.
City Manager Donna M. Vieiro confirmed that bid documents for the new station are set to be received.
The city should get its first look at construction estimates Feb. 22, she said.
The City Council earlier this month adopted an amendment to the fire house construction bond ordinance increasing funding for the construction of a new municipal firehouse to $22 million. The original ordinance, adopted in 2018, was for $3.5 million.
Mayor John B. Moor said if the bids come in higher than the appropriated amount, the city expects alternative bid proposals. If they come higher than $22 million in general, the project could be threatened. The city can only afford so much, he said.
The new headquarters will be on city-owned property located at 200 Memorial Dr. There is no cost to land acquisition.
The city’s current firehouse is more than a century old and firefighters have complained about conditions there for decades. The state has filed health, safety and structural violations there.
In another matter related to firefighting, the council authorized applying for Community Block Grant funding for the acquisition of a rescue vehicle at a cost not to exceed $1 million. The city would be required to provide $50,000 of the cost.
