🚒 City authorizes up to $200,000 for emergency fire station repairs
🦠 Mold, roof damage, and HVAC failures prompted urgent action
🏗️ Repairs expected to restore full habitability and safety within months
The City of Valparaiso has approved a resolution setting aside authorizing expenditures not to exceed $200,000 to address critical structural, HVAC, and mold issues at the city’s fire station. The repairs will be funded using the city’s half-cent sales tax dedicated to infrastructure and fire safety.
During a recent meeting, Mayor Brent Smith and City Administrator Carl Scott briefed the commission on the condition of the fire station and the work required to ensure it remains safe and fully operational for firefighters and the public.
Mayor Smith reported that, for several months, the department stored its primary fire engine at City Hall on John Sims Parkway, fully charged with water in its pumps and gauges.
A recent cold snap significantly increased the risk of damage to the apparatus, prompting a decision to move the engine back into the fire station to protect vital equipment.
Smith also explained that, following multiple mold assessments, an HVAC contractor had removed ductwork and thoroughly cleaned affected areas. Based on these efforts, the building was deemed habitable, and crews have returned to the station. However, conditions remain far from ideal. Officials noted that there is currently no air conditioning on the first floor of the firehouse and that the city had removed all furniture with moisture and mold issues.
Mayor Smith described the current situation as a “halfway house” and emphasized the urgency of completing repairs before warmer weather increases humidity and strain on the building’s systems.
City Administrator Carl Scott presented a plan to correct current deficiencies and prevent future issues, starting with the building’s deteriorated roof.
Scott explained that the roof structure and soffits are rotted due to prolonged water intrusion. His plan calls for:
Scott noted that eliminating ongoing leaks is critical, as mold growth depends on the continued presence of moisture.
Interior work and HVAC remediation outlined by Scott include:
Scott estimated that this interior, HVAC, and compliance work would cost approximately $100,000, bringing the total project estimate to about $200,000.
Officials discussed previous, unsuccessful attempts to obtain bids for roof-related work. Scott explained that the project is a hybrid structural and roofing job, which made it difficult to secure a traditional roofing company willing to take on the full scope.
Despite these challenges, Smith recommended moving forward quickly, and Scott indicated that if funding is fully authorized and the work is allowed to proceed, the repairs can be completed within the next several months, to finish before spring.
The governing body voted to approve a resolution authorizing expenditures up to $200,000, funded by the city’s half-cent sales tax for infrastructure and fire safety. Within this budget, officials expect all major work to be completed so that the building is secure, fully habitable, and compliant.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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