University City Breaks Ground on New Firehouse

The City of University City held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for the new fire house at 863 Westgate Avenue.

The new engine house, which has a construction schedule of 300 days, is estimated to cost $3.3 million.

University City Fire Department Chief Don Miner noted the collaboration that came together to make the project a reality. The department received a grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Assistance to Firefighters Station Construction Grants.

Miner thanked several people for helping the project get off the ground, including Mayor Shelley Welsch, former Mayor Joe Adams, City Manager Lehman Walker and the members of the current and former city council that believed in the project.

Chris Gibbons, who donated his time to create the grant document and assist with the grant review. Former Fire Chief Steve Olshwanger also assisted in the grant preparation and submission.

Washington University granted the city a long term lease for the lot. Miner thanked Wash U's Board of Trustees, as well as Cheryl Adelstein, Director of Community Relations and Local Government Affairs; Connie Kraus, Director of Real Estate; and Mary Campbell, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Real Estate. 

Miner recognized other representatives and citizens who supported the grantt, including: Former Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond, State Rep. Rory Ellinger, State Sen. Maria Chappelle Nadal, St. Louis County Council members Hazel Erby and Pat Dolan; Randy Getz, a U City resident who is a Battalion Chief with Hazelwood; Crystal Crump, Missouri Baptist Hospital; and IAFF Local 2665 District Vice President Kurt Becker.

See our previous coverage of the U City Fire Department:

• Council Again Postpones Vote on Money for New U City Firehouse
• Firehouse Funding Facts From City of University City