Cookeville Could Spend ARP Funds On Fire Station 2

Cookeville City Council will vote Thursday on whether to use its remaining ARP funds to purchase property for the new North Washington Avenue fire station.

In 2020 the Federal Government approved the city just over $10 million in ARP Funds. The city has just under $649,000 left. City Manager James Mills after discussing the land purchase with Finance Director Brenda Imel, they believe this is the best use of that remaining money.

“We decided back then to use these funds for, infrastructure and other things that we would receive a long term benefit from,” Mills said. “We want to make sure we sue these moneys appropriately, and we have done so.”

Mills said $8.5 million has went toward water and sewer. The new property is located at 1806 and 1816 North Washington Avenue, one block north of the existing station. The two parcels of land combine to create a 1.2 acre plot. Mills said the purchase set to close Friday, August 23.

The city is replacing both Fire Station Two and Three. A Gould Drive property was purchased in January to house Fire Station Three.