Fire house renovations underway for nonprofit residency – The News (subscription)

Renovation efforts are moving along on the old fire house that a Glynn County Commissioner is leasing from the city of Brunswick as headquarters for his and other local nonprofits.

The old Brunswick fire station on Albany Street has been vacant and untouched for years. A circa 1920s firetruck currently located at the facility will remain in one of the bays.

"We got the heating and cooling replaced," said Glynn County Commissioner Allen Booker about the space he's preparing for his Rebuilding Together of Glynn County. "Volunteers from the Well, (a homeless ministry) and the Salvation Army, helped with our cleanup in March and did a great job. We didn't have to do much with the electrical."

Booker added that one of the bay doors will be walled-off and the other one replaced in about 10 days.

He's also looking for a plumber to replace the hot water heater, install a couple of new toilets and a kitchen sink. Booker is looking for plumbers and can be contacted at (912) 398-9923.

The Brunswick City Commission, in March, approved a lease for $1 per year that will allow Booker to use the old fire station on Albany Street as headquarters for his nonprofit, Rebuilding Together of Glynn County. The lease payment is in consideration with the renovations that need to be made to the property at 2129 Albany Street.

Booker is the executive director and founder of the local Rebuilding chapter, which uses volunteers and donations to make home repairs for people in need. The group is already making home repairs for qualifying low-income, elderly and veteran homeowners in Glynn County. A new apprenticeship program designed to offer youth hands-on experience will also be part of the programs offered.

The Environmental Justice Advisory Board will also occupy the space.

Booker said Friday that Lowe's provided the organization a $15,000 grant to make repairs on a local disabled veteran's home.

"We'll be moving forward on his home repairs and weatherization in the next 60 days," Booker said. "We'll be doing weatherization in partnership with the Coastal Georgia Area Community Action Authority. We also received a $3,500 grant from Hello Goodbuy, (a local thrift store)."

June 3 is the final rehab day. Honeywell and volunteers will be on hand. Anyone who would like to volunteer their skills with painting and other tasks can contact Booker or Pastor Darrell Dawson, Bright Star Baptist Church, 263 Sweet Gum Drive and rehab specialist with Rebuilding Together.

Booker said the organization is also in need of building materials.

"We're also planning to launch a safe and healthy homes initiative for local seniors," Booker said. "Through that initiative, we'll be putting in grab bars and wheel chair ramps and we're in need of donations for those projects as well."

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Fire house renovations underway for nonprofit residency - The News (subscription)