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Residents and council raise serious workmanship concerns after Station 37 remodel; city pledges punch-list fixes
Summary
Residents and council members said recently completed work at Fire Station 37 shows defects, possible code violations and mold risks; the inspection director confirmed a permit and ongoing inspections, and the mayor and council promised follow-up and corrections.
Residents, council members and city staff clashed over the quality of renovations at Fire Station 37 during the Kenner City Council meeting Oct. 2, 2025. Public commenters who inspected the site described extensive workmanship problems and urged independent review, while the city said a punch list is under way and final corrections will be enforced.
Stacy Alessandro, who identified herself as a District 4 resident, told the council she inspected three showers at Station 37 and said the work was “atrocious, unacceptable, total rip out and redo.” She warned that the waterproofing method used (RedGard without a shower pan) and “accordion pipe plumbing” under sinks likely do not meet industry standards and predicted continued leaks, water damage and mold. “This is not cosmetic. This is a total rip out and redo, in my opinion,” Alessandro said, calling for an independent tile inspector.
Stephen Dunn (District 5) told the council he had visited the station after contractors completed work following a black-mold remediation and said the visible results raised doubts that the city received the quality it paid for. He asked the council to conduct an on-site walkthrough and pledged to follow up. “None of us here would allow that type of work to take place in our house,” Dunn said.
Mayor Glazer and council members acknowledged defects and said the project remains open to corrections. Councilman Ronnie Lahat said he had inspected the station with Chief Jason Dyer and confirmed a punch list of items that general services must correct. “I assure you, this is all gonna be fixed,” Lahat told the council.
Catherine Topple, director of inspection and code, said a building permit was issued for the work and that the department performs inspections at the start, middle and end of projects; she added that third-party inspections can be used and that the work will not pass final inspection unless it meets requirements. Topple did not provide a completion timeline. “A permit was issued for the work. The work is ongoing … It won't pass the final if it doesn't meet the requirements,” Topple said.
Chief Jason Dyer (identified in discussion as handling maintenance and repairs) and general services staff said they had created a punch list and were coordinating corrections. Several council members urged patience while the city completes inspections and fixes, and suggested revisiting the item at the next council meeting for an update.
The exchange highlighted two distinct tensions: residents asking for immediate independent review and assurance that public dollars produced a safe, code-compliant facility, and city officials saying the normal permitting and punch-list processes are in place and will be enforced. Council members repeatedly asked staff to return with a progress update at an upcoming meeting.
No formal motions or votes were taken in public comment on Station 37; the council recorded commitments to inspect the site, enforce punch-list corrections and report back at a future meeting.
