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Subcommittee report: five Lowell fire stations have priority structural or health issues; immediate work estimated at $6.3 million
Summary
The municipal facilities subcommittee reported that Colliers Engineering identified priority 1 structural and health-safety issues at five of the city's nine firehouses, estimating $6.3 million in work for those stations and roughly $60 million to fully address all nine stations.
The municipal facilities subcommittee presented a March 18 progress report to the full council on March 25 outlining urgent repairs needed at Lowell fire stations. Colliers Engineering assessed all nine stations and identified priority 1 structural or health issues at five stations that the subcommittee called urgent.
Chair Councilor Belanger told the council the assessment shows a need to ‘‘get men and women in the fire department a clean, safe working department as fast as humanly possible.’’ Assistant finance and project staff briefed the council on funding: about $1.8 million remains in the current fiscal year budget for these repairs and there is approximately $6.3 million of priority 1 work identified across the five firehouses. The subcommittee noted additional capital and potential free-cash sources could be used, and that the total estimated outlay to address all nine firehouses’ needs is about $60 million.
The subcommittee recommended fast-tracking hazardous-materials studies to determine whether asbestos, lead paint or other hazards require specialized remediation before repairs proceed. Councilors approved the subcommittee report as progress and asked the manager to pursue funding and expedited procurement for priority items.
