Jennings pushes forward plans for new fire stations
Published on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, 10:30 a.m.
- A rendering of what the new Jennings fire stations could look like. (Special to the American Press)
The city of Jennings is moving forward with plans to build two new fire stations.
The city government wants to move Fire Station 2 from near the community fairgrounds to an area on La. 102 South after the station was damaged by Hurricane Laura in 2020. The city also plans to build a third fire station on La. 26 to respond to economic growth north of the highway.
“These are both projects the city has needed for a long time,” said Mayor Henry Guinn.
Construction of each of the new fire stations is expected to cost between $600,000 and $800,000. The city plans to use money from its general fund to build the new stations.
Both stations will have dormitories for up to two firefighters, showers, lounges and kitchens. The facilities will also have three parking spaces for vehicles and equipment.
The stations are manned by firefighters on call, and volunteers also assist with operations.
Plans to relocate Fire Station 2 were included in the budget for the new fiscal year, and the city hopes to complete the land purchase soon. Plans for Fire Station 3 will likely be made next year, Guinn said.
“We suffered quite a bit of damage to Fire Station 2 during Hurricane Laura, so that will be our priority,” Guinn said.
Repairing the damage caused by the hurricane alone, which included mold, mildew and pest infestation, cost over $600,000.
The situation is unique because the fire station building is owned by the city, but the land is owned by the Jeff Davis Parish Police Jury.
Guinn said there were problems with the city’s repairs to the station.
“We want to repair Fire Station 2 and then find out that the leasehold only has six years left,” he said.
“When we saw the cost of all the repairs, we said it’s not good business to spend that much money unless you have a long-term lease,” he continued. “Even though there were five police jurors from the city of Jennings present, no one wanted to bring up a motion to grant us a long-term lease so the city could repair the fire station.”
When reviewing land for relocation, the city identified the old James Ward Elementary School as an ideal location, but was unable to reach an agreement with the landowner.
“The assessed value was $75,500 and the landowner wanted the tax assessor’s estimate of $300,000 because she thought that was how much the property was worth,” Guinn said. “Ultimately, we couldn’t come to an agreement because as a government entity, we can’t pay more than the assessed value.”
The city is currently negotiating a second location for Fire Station 2 on a 10-acre site on Louisiana 102 South between Levi Street and Racca Road and is awaiting the completion of an appraisal.
Additionally, work is underway to construct a new fire station, Fire Station 3, on the airport property on La. 26, just south of the interstate. The station will improve response times for new businesses and residential developments expected to be built north of the interstate.
“We cannot continue to annex and expand the area if we do not provide fire services. This is imperative for the growth of Jennings,” he said.
The central fire station will remain at its location next to the Jennings Police Department on North Broadway Street.
