Anderson County Commissioners have approved a bid for a revised plan to build a new fire station at Welda, which might save more than $200,000 off the cost of an original plan that would have required them to seek federal grant funding. Anderson County Clerk Julie Wettstein says commissioners approved the county’s only qualifying bid for the structure at $209,860 from Waverly Lumber and post frame structures. Earlier this year commissioners decided not to participate in a community development block grant process to fund part of the project, because the grant requirements would have added another $173,000 to the base structure cost which was initially estimated at nearly $300,000.
The new structure will include vehicle bays with doors large enough to fit modern fire equipment something the present structure does not have, as well as running water to clean equipment, restrooms, and an office area. County Fire Chief Mick Brinkmeyer says he hopes to finalize the project plans soon.
