Construction of a new Farmville fire station has been put on hold, and financing for its completion is in jeopardy.
Farmville Mayor Alex Joyner told WITN.com that the town started construction before finishing all required environmental testing.
“If we do not complete this, and if they decide, we could not get any of it,” Joyner said of a grant they were awarded to pay for the fire station.
When the town met with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to discuss the project, the problem became apparent and officials discovered that Farmville was unable to withdraw the monies it had been given for the fire station.
The error created more obstacles than just the possibility of losing money for upcoming station projects.
“Any construction that has been done to date, none of that funding can be used for that,” Joyner said, adding that a bank loan will be used to pay for the completed construction.
“It’s disappointing, but it’s understandable once I heard the details behind it,” Fire Chief Tommy Brady said.
For 10 years, there has been discussion over the new fire station. The facility has already undergone extensive work.
According to Joyner, taxpayers shouldn't be burdened by this error by using the bank loan.
Joyner is not ready to talk about what would happen if the financing is lost and Farmville officials are making every effort to secure the funding.
