Company will build new Fire Department bays
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on October 20, 2009 1:46 PM
The Goldsboro City Council appropriated just more than $237,000 for construction of the addition of a two-bay building at Fire Station No. 4 at their Monday meeting, but one member of the board was not convinced that all the funds were being well spent.
The sum, which does not include an additional $100,000 that will be paid out of Community Development Block Grant Recovery funds, will cover the cost of the new building, a connector between it and the existing fire station and necessary site work.
Local firm G&G Builders was awarded the contract after officials there submitted the lowest bid for the project.
Planning Director Randy Guthrie said some site work, including grading, is already under way and being completed by city employees -- an effort that, once completed, would cost the city close to $110,000.
Mayor Pro Tem Chuck Allen, however, was not convinced city crews need to be involved, so he asked Public Works Director Neil Bartlett his opinion.
"I really think if you put it out for bid today, you would probably get some good prices," Allen said before asking Bartlett exactly what having his crews tied up at the fire station site would mean for other projects in need of their services.
"We can do it, but obviously, when we are involved in this, other tasks are going to go lacking until we complete this," Bartlett replied.
"Is this going to stop you from doing sidewalks?" Allen then asked.
"Yes," Bartlett said. "For a period of time, yes."
Guthrie said some money has already been spent on the work completed by the city to date, but agreed to put the remainder of the site work out for bid as soon as possible.
"Randy, you can bid this out in a week," Allen said, adding that as long as the bids come back lower than the $109,000 it would have cost in city labor, the project can move forward without delay.
But in reality, no rush needed.
Guthrie said the project needs to begin as soon as possible to make sure the station can accommodate new firetrucks -- ones that are too long for the current facility to house -- but Fire Chief Gary Whaley said it would likely be a while before they roll into town.
Finance Director Kaye Scott said she hopes to close on the loan for the firetrucks by Dec. 1, adding it could take between 90 days and six months after that point to see the trucks in Goldsboro.
Construction of the building is scheduled to be completed within 120 days of the start date, which would give contractors more than enough time to get their bids in and get the site work done, while still ensuring the new trucks have a home.
Chief Building Inspector Ed Cianfarra said he is confident that everything will work out.
"I'll have the building done before those firetrucks get here," he said.
The addition of the new two-bay building is part of a larger plan to eventually convert the existing bay into a bigger office and day room for the firefighters.
Fire Station No. 4 was not the only item covered by the council Monday.
The board also held several public hearings and approved a consent agenda.
* A public hearing was held regarding a rezoning request submitted by O'Reilly Automotive Inc. for property located on the south side of East Ash Street, between Spence Avenue and Durant Street. The property owner is requesting a change from office and institutional to general business. No one spoke for or against the proposal during the hearing.
* A public hearing was held regarding the potential closure of Beverly Lane. No one showed up to voice opposition to the move.
* A public hearing was held regarding initiation of zoning for Wayne County Commissioner Steve Keen's property on the south side of U.S. 70, between N.C. 581 and Millbrook Village Lane. City planners recommended that the property be zoned shopping center. No one spoke for or against the move.
* A public hearing was held regarding a conditional land use request submitted by Kaye Peyton for operation of a bingo parlor on the west side of North Spence Avenue, between U.S. 70 East and Royall Avenue. No one spoke for or against the request.
* Downtown Goldsboro Development Corp. executive director Julie Thompson requested a several-hour closure of a section of Center Street Oct. 30 to accommodate the 16th annual "Boo-It," an event that brings local children -- and their families -- downtown for trick-or-treating, arts and crafts and hay rides. More than 50 downtown businesses will be handing out candy this year from 5 to 6 p.m.