Highlighting new campus for city services
Fire Chief Mitch Metzger cuts the ribbon to celebrate the campus that will house the fire station and other city services.
Mayor Larry Bowman speaks to guests about the efforts of legislators that helped the city allocate funding.
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – The bond recently passed by Airway Heights voters was celebrated with an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony held in the new building at 1149 S. Garfield Rd. that will potentially hold multiple city services.
City leaders each took the chance to speak to the large crowd that filled what will become the new fire station and city building.
City Manager Albert Tripp welcomed and thanked everyone for coming to the event, as this is one of the biggest issues the city has faced in recent years.
Tripp also said that Councilwoman Jennifer Morton and community volunteer Tonya Murray organized the event and even brought in some catering and snacks for guests to enjoy during the open house.
"Their efforts and their energy made it possible for you to see what you see today," Tripp told the guests in attendance.
Tripp explained some of the steps to how the city got to where they are with the building.
"Prior to the 2023 legislative session the city of Airway Heights reached out to our legislative body to ask for support in requesting funding for a new public safety campus," Tripp said. "They agreed to sign on to the city's effort to get this particular campus."
Tripp said thanks to the community support and the support of 6th District Legislators the state allocated funding to buy the property which will house the fire department. Moving forward it will also potentially house the police department, city hall, and municipal court.
Fire Chief Mitch Metzger started his speech by thanking Senator Jeff Holy, and Representatives Mike Volz and Jenny Graham.
Metzger explained that it was one of his department heads that found the location, and he said it was an incredible team effort.
Metzger said this has been a long time in the works as the old facility has been remodeled 10 times and the department can no longer keep up while they are in that facility, which is why they needed this opportunity.
According to Mayor Larry Bowman this effort was built by the efforts of many.
"A project like this requires the entire community to come together," Bowman said.
Bowman said the city has needed a campus style facility for city services, and this will help streamline those services moving forward.
Certificates of appreciation were given to the delegates by city council in appreciation.
The West Plains Chamber of Commerce helped organize the event, and CEO Mark Losh said this project was something the chamber had been backing wholeheartedly.
Losh said the department has struggled with a lot of things in the old station, stating that it is more of a garage than a fire station.
Pointing around the new campus Losh said, "This is a fire station."
Matthew graduated from West Virginia University-Parkersburg in 2011 with a journalism degree. He's an award-winning photographer and enjoys writing stories about people.
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