ARLINGTON The former fire hall at the Arlington airport will be demolished without being used for practice burns, according to airport and fire department officials.
Airport Manager Rob Putnam confirmed that demolition was still scheduled for July, but noted that previous plans to use the structure for firefighting training have been cancelled.
In order for the Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Agency to allow the burning of the building, theyd have to buy off on the training being justified, Putnam said. So, our fire department would have to get permission, and theyd have to do it before the summer.
Arlington Fire Deputy Chief admitted that, after weighing their options, the fire department hadnt even bothered to apply.
It wouldnt just be the air quality, but also the proximity to the flight line, Cooper said. Itd be likely that the FAA would have had something to say about that as well. Besides, there was the issue of structural safety. Especially considering the timeline, it simply wasnt worth it.
Another plan for part of the former fire hall has been revised, since Putnam reported that its large beam will not be turned into a series of park benches, as had been previously considered.
Paul Ellis [the city of Arlington Capital Projects Manager] thinks the beam can be incorporated into the structure of the new fire station, possibly with a plaque, Putnam said.
In the meantime, Putnam is determining how much of the former fire halls structure can be taken to a recycling yard, for cost-reducing credits. As it stands now, he estimates it will cost approximately $45,000 to remove all three buildings, roughly half of which will pay for dumpsters and transportation fees.