Council committees back fire-prevention renovations and accept $4.69M hazard-mitigation grant for fire-logistics site

The Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee recommended a transfer and appropriation of $806,171 for renovation of a fire-prevention facility (FS23105) on May 20 and voted to accept a Federal Hazard Mitigation Grant to address structural and flood risks at a separate fire-logistics site.

Assistant Fire Chief Colin Barrett told the committee the $806,171 request moves funds within the capital program into a line item intended for fire prevention renovations. Barrett said the money had been in the project line and is intended to fund maintenance and upgrades at a public-facing facility used by fire inspectors. The committee voted to send the transfer down with a favorable recommendation and a request for same-night minutes; the motion was made by Councilman Ford and seconded by Councilman Espinosa and carried by voice vote.

The committee also considered a Federal Hazard Mitigation Grant (Project 4541-003) awarded through the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. According to presenters, the $4,685,134 federal award — with a local match of about $246,000 — will fund work to reduce the risk of catastrophic failure of a roughly 120-year-old brick-arch culvert beneath the Division of Fire Services logistics facility at 354 Adams Avenue. Presenters said the project will enhance floodproofing and seismic resilience so the site remains operational during emergencies. The grant carries a three-year period of performance that ends in December 2027. The committee voted to forward the acceptance and appropriation to the council with a favorable recommendation and same-night minutes.

Both items were presented as grant/appropriation actions; Barrett and engineering representatives described the projects as maintenance and resilience investments to preserve critical inspection and logistical capacity for Memphis Fire Services.