With 40-50 year old paint and an overloaded electrical system, one local fire station is in danger of becoming an on-fire station. But thanks to a resolution by the local government, that will soon be remedied.
The Benton Harbor City Commission on Monday approved $30,000 in public improvement funds for an overhaul of the Benton Harbor Fire Department paint job and electrical system.
In 2018, the fire station windows, bay doors and bathrooms were remodeled. In 2020, the station got a remodel thanks to local donations and the labor of Benton Harbor Public Safety officers. The only items that were unable to be upgraded at the time were the paint and electrical systems.
“We were told by the electrical contractors providing a quote we were in danger of having a firehouse ourselves,” states a memo sent from the Personnel and Finance Committee to city commissioners. “The current firehouse bay ceiling has paint that is estimated to be 40-50 years old, some of which contain lead, and is peeling off the ceiling in great amounts.”
WHL Construction, of Watervliet, will perform the painting and ceiling repairs at a cost of $8,500. Beaudoin Electric, of Sodus, will perform the electrical and lighting upgrades at a cost of $18,230. A contingency fund of $3,270 for unforeseen expenses also was included.
The electrical work includes installing LED lighting throughout the fire station, which the internal memo states has been done in city hall and the police station already.
