Politics & Government

Residents Speak Out For and Against New U City Firehouse

A vote on the firehouse funding resolution will be held at the city council meeting slated for Nov. 14.

About a dozen speakers turned out for Monday night's public hearing on a proposed new fire station at 6601 Vernon Ave. in University City.

The majority of speakers supported the new firehouse. However, several residents did voice opposition to the proposed fire station.

Three times since September councilmembers have postponed voting on approving additional funding for the new firehouse. The fire department is asking the city to make up a funding shortfall of $674,494. The money is in addition to $200,000 the council already approved for a grant match for the new firehouse.

Find out what's happening in University Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Councilmembers will once again vote on the firehouse funding resolution at the Nov. 14 city council meeting.

Kicking off the public hearing Monday night was resident Mary Hart, who said that by all indications, "This is a good place and a good spot to build it." Hart said it would be foolish, not to go ahead with building the new firehouse, and throw away millions of dollars in federal money.

Find out what's happening in University Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I want my tax money to be used to build a new fire station," she added.

Former University City Councilmember Elsie Glickert called on the council to conduct a study before deciding to relocate the fire station to Vernon Avenue. She urged the council to hire an "outside, unbiased firm," to study the structural condition of the existing building. Her complaint is that a structural engineer has never looked at the building.

"I stand here in favor of a firehouse...but probably not this one," said Lawrence Taylor. He said the land donated by Washington University may be free, but it will cost University City in the long run.

State Representative Rory Ellinger, who lives in Uniersity City and represents Pagedale, University City and Wellston, backed the fire station. "As a taxpayer it sounds like this makes good sense to me."

State Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal couldn't be at the meeting in person but made her views known through a letter read to councilmembers by Juanita Carl.

"I firmly believe that this expenditure is a smart investment for our community," said Chappelle-Nadal in her letter. "Residents in University City are getting a new $3.5 million fire house for $800,000."

Chappelle-Nadal lauded the University City officials for their foresight in applying for the federal dollars to make the new firehouse possible.

"As citizens, we need to get help from whereever we can. Why has the concept of using a coupon gone astray?  A federal grant that our city has been approved for is nearly a $3 million coupon.  Who in their right mind would throw away a $3 million coupon?"

Two residents directly impacted by the proposed firehouse spoke during Monday's meeting—Christopher Jones, who lives on Westgate Avenue across the street from the proposed site, is vehemently against the firehouse.

He's concerned the firehouse will reduce his quality of life by increasing the noise and decreasing his property value. "Every noise emanating from the fire station we will hear," said Jones.

"When the diesel engines roar as the fire trucks come in and out of the station, we will hear it. When the sirens from the trucks scream as the department races to an emergency, we will hear it. When the department conducts maintenance with their doors open, we will hear it. When an employee comes to work and closes the door on his automobile, we will hear it. When the department washes the vehicles we will hear it. When the garage doors open at the station, we will hear it," said Jones.

At the end of his address, several people in the audience clapped in a show of support.

A new resident to University City named Judith said she didn't know what to think about the firehouse moving in next door to her.

"I am within 185 feet of the new station. I will be able to look at the fire station when I look out my window." She noted that there are positive aspects to the firehouse, such as having an economic and safety anchor in the neighborhood. However, she also said she harbors deep concerns. She's worried about the noise and loss of property value.

"I would ask that if this is going to happen...do everything in your power to mitigate the noise."

Resident Edward McCarthy said it's not firehouses that save people, it is the people who work in the firehouses.

"We have good people, whether they are in an old firehouse or a new firehouse," McCarthy said. He's against the firehouse being built at the proposed location.

"Just because we get free land does not mean we have to build a building. It's not going to be free by the time we finish. It's going to cost millions," McCarthy said.

"Let's play ball and strike a home run in University City with the building of a new firehouse," said longtime resident Richard Dockett.

Former University City councilmember Stefany Brot encouraged the council to continue University City's tradition of, "putting our citizens needs first and thinking of the long-term future."

Resident Kevin Feely said he worries that the current fire station on Delmar Boulevard will not be able to withstand a major earthquake. While there is no perfect location for a firehouse in University City, "this is a significant upgrade," he said.

St. Louis County Councilmember Hazel Erby, a longtime resident, said a new firehouse would improve response time because of the updated facility and create new jobs. However, she was careful to emphasize that she wanted to see those construction jobs go to minorities. She urged the council to make sure that the people hired for the jobs, "reflect the diversity of our community."

Hazelwood Fire Department Battalion Chief Randy Getz, who is a University City resident, offered a unique perspective as a fire official. He said the proposed site in a residential area is a good location. He added that Hazelwood's fire station is also in a residential area, and that having greater numbers of fire and police would actually be a benefit to the community.

“I would urge you to please turn on the green light for this new fire station," Getz said.

Kurt Becker, an official with Firefighters Local 2665, which represents University City firefighters, said it was "unthinkable," that any city would walk away from building this firehouse. He said walking away from free federal money, “is nothing short of absurd.” He added that building a new firehouse, "seems to me to be such a no-brainer."

He said in the current firehouse men and women are forced to shower in the same rooms as one another and sleep in the same quarters without dividers keeping them apart. He said this past summer the air-conditioning in the Delmar station was so insufficient that the temperature indoors hovered in the 90˚F range.

Al Beamer with Ackert Park Skilled Care Community couldn't be happier about a fire station going in across the street from his senior living center. He said nursing homes are frequent users of a fire station, and that his residents and staff are thrilled at the prospect.

"This cannot be a better place to put a fire station as far as we are concerned," he said.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from University City