The original item was published from February 23, 2021 12:44 PM to February 24, 2021 9:01 AM
As our city continues to experience tremendous growth, challenges
become more pressing in providing the highest standard of service. Many
years ago, the plan began to add the City’s 5th fire station to
service the extensive growth in the southeastern part of our city. This
plan was stalled in 2008 when the housing crisis began, but we reinstated this
plan again in 2014 and have prepared since then for this day. I’m so glad
to report that we have secured land, planned the financial instrument, and
awarded the bid to begin construction on this long-planned project that is
crucial for our future in meeting public safety goals.
The Board of
Aldermen recently awarded the lowest and best bid of $3,871,938 to Legacy
Construction Services to begin construction of Fire Station #5 on Star Landing
Road adjacent to the big curve just west of Getwell Road. This beautiful
facility was designed by A2H with a dual-front design to accommodate future
road changes with Star Landing and will be under construction within 45 days
with projected completion by year end.
Along with our
aggressive fire hydrant expansion plan and adoption of the most recent building
codes, we believe this addition will improve our already- excellent “Class 3”
fire rating. Currently, there are only 5 cities in Mississippi with a
rating this high (low number means high). Moving to a “Class 2” would
make us the best rated fire department in Mississippi, along with only
Hattiesburg and Biloxi. It goes without saying that an excellent fire
rating signifies excellence in public safety, reduces property insurance costs,
especially commercial rates, and makes our city even more economically
attractive.
I’m extremely proud
of the outstanding men and women in our Fire Department and this new facility
will help them continue with the highest standard of excellence.
