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BUSINESS PLAN HIGHLIGHTS
CITY BREAKS GROUND ON VOTER-APPROVED FIRE STATION NO . 1 IN DOWNTOWN ARLINGTON ( continued from pg . 1 )
“ A fire station is a physical reminder to our fellow citizens that there are people inside on watch all the time . That someone will show up . That they will protect us at our most perilous time . A fire station represents stability , honor , service and all the best civic virtues ,” said City Council Representative Rebecca Boxall .
Features will include five larger , drive-thru apparatus bays that can hold more equipment , training areas and indoor and outdoor kennels for the Fire Department ’ s K9 Unit , a full kitchen and dining room , and various offices . Click here to see a video of the future station .
The station will also include a public space for community events and meetings as well as a museum area where residents can learn about the Arlington Fire Department ’ s history and accomplishments and see historical items up close , such as an antique fire truck .
“ Ever since there was a city , there was a fire department . Our genesis started really back in 1880s . The first fire chief was in 1900 , the first real fire engine shows up around in 1920 , and a fully paid fire department started in 1948 . And we ’ ve only grown from there ,” said Crowson , who worked at the station as a fire fighter from 1984 to 1986 . “ We are a city of 400,000 people now , a metropolitan urban community . The Downtown fire station is going to be our flagship station . A point of interest for citizens to visit and come see Arlington ’ s history .”
Living quarters for the station ’ s three shift crews , who each spend 24 hours working from the Downtown station , will also be an improvement . The second story of the new station will offer 12 private dorm rooms and separate men ’ s and women ’ s bathrooms with showers .
“ It ’ s fitting to have a type of station that fits with the quality of our fire fighters , to better serve our community in the Downtown area ,” said Arlington Mayor Jim Ross . “ This is really going to be something to be proud of for the Fire Department and the city as a whole .”
In 2021 , the Arlington adopted a Minority Woman Business Enterprise Program and established an Office of Business Diversity as part of the City ’ s efforts to increase participation with minority and woman-owned companies as suppliers , prime vendors and subcontractors . The selected contractor for the fire station construction , Steele & Freeman , has agreed to a goal of more than 30 % goal for minority and woman business enterprise participation in the project . The City Council approved a construction contract for up to $ 9.2 million with the contractor , which has built two other fire stations within the city .
EMERGENCY HOME REPAIR ASSISTANCE
The Emergency Repair Program uses Community Development Block Grant ( CDBG ) funds to provide grants to lower income homeowners requiring repairs for hazardous or life threatenIng emergencies in their homes . It affords eligible homeowners a one-time grant up to $ 5,000 per three-year period and is based on available funding .
HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM
The Housing Rehabilitation Program helps income-qualified homeowners repair and / or rehabilitate their homes . Applicants must own and reside in the home to be repaired , and the home must be within the City limits of Arlington . For qualified homeowners , the City will fund 100 % of the eligible repairs up to $ 24,500 .
Please contact The Arlington Housing Authority at 817-276-6707 to schedule an appointment to determine eligibility .