Back to Drawing Board for Contractor, City over Fayetteville, NC, Fire Station Project

It's back to the drawing board for contractors and Fayetteville officials regarding the construction of a new fire station.

The two sides are headed to mediation after the city's lawsuit was dismissed, abc 11 reported.

Fayetteville had filed suit against W.B. Brawley claiming it did not build the station to standard, which the contractor denied.

While the exterior of the station appears nearly completed, inspectors reportedly found significant interior issues including weak walls, use of PVC pipes instead of cast iron and roof failures.

A consultant recommended demolishing the station due to concerns over its long-term safety.

"It is ABS's opinion that the concrete slabs are not constructed in accordance with industry standards," inspectors wrote in the report presented to the city. 

Fire officials are sill hoping to have a new station.

"We need new technologies and advancements as the fire department changes and as the city develops," Fayetteville Fire Capt. Stephen Shakeshaft said.

Station 4 -- the second oldest in the city -- is still in use.

"The current Station Four is not equipped for our cancer prevention efforts in order to keep our folks safe in the long term. It's not equipped for a diverse workforce. There's only one restroom. There's lots of things that we need to upgrade in a building this old. But the building is still operational, and you are protected within the city limits from backup," Shakeshaft said.

If the mediation fails, both parties will have up to a year to refile.