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Highlands Today
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Sebring Firehouse Refurbishing Nears Completion
Kathy Waters/Highlands Today
Robert Jones with Bowen & Son Roofing, Inc. uses caulking to fill in small cracks within the parapet of the downtown Sebring Fire Station on Thursday.
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Published: August 15, 2008
SEBRING - Shouting up to workers on the roof of the downtown fire station, Sebring Fire Chief Brad Batz asked about the caulking on the parapets as electricians, plumbers and carpenters put the finishing touches on the major renovation project.
After two years of working out of two trailers, Batz will likely be shouting with joy next month when the work is expected to be complete on the historic two-story building.
The sprinkler system has been installed, one fire pole is complete and the other pole will be done by the end of the day, he said Thursday.
The floor covering and ceiling tile installation has been delayed until leaks in the roof and around the windows are fixed.
"The windows and the roof that was the biggest thing that set us back a little bit, but I think we are overcoming that," Batz said.
The renovation has been two-fold: First to repair the structural damage from the 2004 hurricane season and secondly to renovate the inside, which suffered water damage from the 2004 hurricanes Charley, Jeanne and Frances.
Insurance paid for the structural repairs. The cost of the interior renovation is about $436,000.
It took two years to start the repair and renovation work due to the strict historic-building guidelines, Batz said. With the station boarded up on the inside, the department continued to use it until the work started.
It took time to recreate the appearance of the original windows, which are now designed to withstand winds over 130 miles per hour, he said. The fire station was built in 1927.
Currently, the big setback is waiting for the large bay doors to be delivered.
The manufacturer has the doors, but is waiting for the glass manufacturer to deliver the half-inch Lexan, which is bullet-proof glass with a high storm rating, Batz said.
The firefighters are waiting anxiously for the work to get done so they can move back in.
"But, we know we are doing things right. We want to make sure everything is perfect," Batz said. "I have been accused of being too picky, but this is our house; we live here. It's not an office building that you go to 8 to 5 and then you go home that night."
Marc Valero can be reached at 386-5826 or mvalero@highlandstoday.com
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