Council hears that $750,000 grant will target three firehouses; officials say funds may be supplemental

The Newark Municipal Council reviewed an application-acceptance item on Feb. 19 for approximately $750,000 in grant funds to repair three firehouses: 395 Avon, 605 Congress Street, and 469 Ferry Street.

Dolores Martinez Woodland, director of the Department of Engineering, told the council the grant is intended to address known violations and structural problems at the three facilities and that the amount "may not be enough, but it does supplement what we're looking for at this point." She said the city has an ongoing effort, "Project Phoenix," a cross-departmental initiative launched in 2023 to address widespread disrepair in the city's 17 firehouses. That effort began with roof repairs and watertightening, Woodland said, and interior work is prioritized based on safety and environmental issues identified by inspectors.

Council members sought an itemized cost breakdown for each building so they could verify how the $750,000 would be allocated among the three houses and whether the grant would cover the most urgent structural needs. Director Woodland said she would provide the requested breakdown and an update on the specific work that has been completed at each station, including the Sanford Avenue firehouse which council members described as having active exhaust-fume problems that temporarily displace sleeping quarters.

Ending: The administration agreed to send council members an itemized cost breakdown for each firehouse covered by the grant application and to provide an overall list of repairs completed and prioritized across the 17 firehouses.