Fire Training Building Burned Out

The building that has been used to save our lives is ready to call it quits.

Last week, the Scarsdale Board of Trustees voted for the go-ahead to design plans for the renovation of the Fire Training Building.

The building has been used extensively for live-fire-training for the Scarsdale Fire Department as well as in a limited capacity by the neighboring fire districts of New Rochelle, Eastchester, Greenville, Hartsdale, and Fairview.

Now after years of use the building at 110 Secor Road is no longer up to code and even to be used for training purposes.

"As a result of its intensive use, concrete degradation occurs when training exercises take place and in the past, village facilities crews and outside vendors have made necessary repairs several times," Scarsdale trustee, Dr. Miriam Levitt Flisser said at the Jan. 12 meeting of the Board of Trustees.

"The building now has significant damage that is beyond the ability of the village staff to repair and some of the burn rooms have been declared unusable."

After acquiring cost-estimates from renovation expert Dr. Bernard Grossfield, the scope of the work is expected to run around $188,000. 

This would include, "installation of fire proofing panels in three burn rooms; repair of interior walls, floors and ceilings; exterior stone repairs; removal and replacement of stucco finish; and cellar stone wall repair."

Under the New York Dormitory Authority's Community Capital Assistance Program (CCAP) the Village of Scarsdale was awarded a $1250,000 grant to go towards renovating the Scarsdale Fire Training Building.  According to what was said, this grant was made possible by the support of New York State Assemblywoman, Amy Paulin.

During the January 12^th meeting the Board approved Dr. Grossfield's $18,750 design fee, which is 10% of the original cost-estimate.   It was not determined when these renovations plans would be complete or as to when construction would begin to take place.