Members of the Constantine Village Council this week reviewed a report by structural engineer Nick Barnitz, who reported on building damage at the fire station.
Barnitz said the building is 84 years old, and there is significant vertical cracking on the north and south walls, a corner of an east wall, and significant deterioration of steel lintels of the four supporting doors firetrucks exit. He recommended providing temporary support of the roof framing and above the lintels at the east wall, replacing steel lintels above overhead doors, repairing masonry and replacing the roof.
Village manager Mark Honeysett said the 30-year-old roof was leaking extensively and needed to be replaced at an estimated cost as high as $69,000. The fire department is owned by the village, and Constantine and Florence townships, but Honeysett said the village is responsible for the condition of the building.
Honeysett said the village would need to establish a Fire Authority if it decides to ask for a fire/public safety millage to fund necessities for the fire department building.