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Fire Station Fixes Are Up For Approval

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By LAURA KINSLER

lkinsler@tampatrib.com

Published: January 10, 2009

ZEPHYRHILLS - Nearly a year after the Zephyrhills Fire Department was flooded out of its downtown fire station, the city may finally be ready to repair the 50-year-old building.
Fire Chief Keith Williams wants the city council to vote Monday for the go-ahead to renovate the old station. The estimated cost is $716,000, though that figure doesn't include furniture or expansion of the adjoining drainage pond.

The council had delayed action on station repairs so the department could calculate the cost for asbestos removal. The city hired a certified asbestos inspector, who determined the station had no asbestos.

Williams said the renovations could be paid for with a combination of fire impact fees and Pennies for Pasco sales tax revenue.

Firefighters have been working out of the World War II Barracks Museum at the city airport since the Jan. 23 flood. Airport staff and members of the city's airport authority have complained the fire department has overstayed its welcome.

"They should have been out of there 10 months ago," airport staffer Nancy Morin said. "It was supposed to be for 30 days."

Reporter Laura Kinsler can be reached at (813) 779-4617.

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