Marion’s first new fire station since 1991, when the city’s population was half what it is today, could open before summer following months of detours with a pandemic and derecho during construction.
“We’re looking at May 1,” Fire Chief Deb Krebill said. “That’s been changing so not for sure, but that’s our goal. The most recent goal.”
Once operating, the new station, at 1000 Irish Dr., will be named Fire Station 1. The current Fire Station 1, at 600 Eighth Ave., will be renamed Fire Station 3. The current headquarters is at Fire Station 2, 3933 Katz Dr.
Christner Construction of Ottumwa is the company constructing the new $10.3 million station and OPN is the architectural firm behind the design. Krebill said she is hoping the project will be under budget.
Between taking extra precautions to keep workers healthy and material production being affected by the pandemic, Krebill said, the process of constructing the facility was slowed.