COMMUNITY ALERT -- NEW/RENOVATED FIREHOUSE IN JEOPARDY

Public Hearings will be held this Thursday, February 7 to determine if
the Tenleytown Firehouse will be given Historic Status. If that happens,
all changes to the existing firehouse will have to be reviewed and
approved by the DC Historic Preservation Review Board. This sounds
pretty ominous for getting  a modernized fire house since this board has
already objected to some of the improvements that were discussed months
ago and supported by ANC3E and Fire Chief Ronnie Few.

My understanding is that the Review Board is likely to grant historic
status to this building unless they are persuaded at the hearings to not
grant historic status. Anyone from the public may testify and the Board
will vote following the hearing.

It is also my understanding that the President of the Tenleytown
Historical Society intends to testify in support of Historic Status,
which appears to negate that organization's support for the renovation
plan it supported earlier. If  I am wrong about this, please correct me.
The earlier plan is the one supported by ANC3E and Fire Chief  Few as
well as the Tenleytown Historical Society.

A lot of money has already been spent on architectural fees and plans
for the earlier renovation. At least two sets of designs have been done
already. This is costing us taxpayers substantial bucks and the existing
firehouse is still rotting away and still remains an awful work
environment for our firefighters. The doors are still too small for the
engines; it still lacks a modern exhaust system for those who live and
work there. It still contains fewer emergency vehicles than are needed
to support this community.

Unless it is modernized correctly, our future is pretty cloudy in terms
of new and improved public safety equipment and vehicles -- all of which
require ample space for storage and maintenance. Preserving the existing
exterior, which would happen if historic status were imposed, will
forever keep the building smaller than the lot allows.

The hearing is scheduled for 10:05 a.m. and the Tenleytown Firehouse is
number one on the agenda. It will be held at 441  4th Street NW
(Judiciary Square Metro Stop) Room 220S. For more information, call
Beverly at 442-8818.
 

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