(Avoca) Construction is set to begin soon on the new $3.5 million Safety Station in Avoca. Firefighters and city officials held a groundbreaking ceremony Monday afternoon at 1313 N. Sawmill Drive. Currently, the fire department and EMS operate out of City Hall. This project has been two decades in the making, with Avoca Fire Chief Drew Becker noting that planning for a new facility began back in 2009.
Chief Becker says the new facility has additional apparatus bays, two living quarters, storm safety room, and a conference room to name a few…
Audio PlayerAvoca City Administrator Tyler Trout stated that the city employed creative financing strategies—most notably a five percent franchise fee—to make this project possible. This fee will help counterbalance decreases in tax increment financing (T.I.F.) revenue, enabling the project to move forward without raising the city’s debt service related to T.I.F. funding. Construction is set to begin this week, with the goal of completion by Christmas.
The Avoca Fire Department consists of 25 dedicated volunteers and one full-time EMT.
