CI firefighters welcome new house repairs

Firefighters on City Island will soon be saying good-bye to those rusty counters, pesky burners, and shoddy outlets, thanks to a $200,000 renovation of the kitchen and dining area at Engine 70/Ladder 53 on Schofield Street. With designs now completed, the New York City Council-funded project is on track to begin in late March or early April.

Councilman James Vacca has been working with the Fire Department to expedite the project since taking office in 2006. The project was initially earmarked by Vacca’s predecessor, Madeline Provenzano, and has remained in the budget at Vacca’s request. Vacca led the successful fight to keep open Ladder 53 amid budget cuts earlier this year.

The funding allocated by the City Council will make possible a total gut renovation of the firehouse kitchen and dining area, including new range equipment, shelving, work surfaces, flooring, lighting, plumbing, and fixtures; reconstruction of the pantry; replacement of the exhaust fan and fire suppression system; and various electrical work.

FDNY officials completed the design for the project in recent weeks, and, in partnership with the Department of Design and Construction, which will oversee the project, conducted a preliminary bid meeting with potential contractors late last week.