City public safety events Friday

FORT MADISON – Two significant public safety events will take place Friday in Fort Madison.
At 2 p.m. city officials are welcoming the public to a groundbreaking of the new $6 million fire station at the construction site in the 2200 block of Avenue L where the current public works facility is located. Following that event, the city will move to where new construction will begin on a new 10,000 square foot public works facility.
A low bid of $5.8 million was approved last week at the Fort Madison City Council from SG Construction out of West Burlington. Construction is set to begin in the spring.
City dignitaries and officials will give remarks at the groundbreaking.
Following the city groundbreaking, Lee County will be hosting a grand opening and tour of the new Meller Family Health Center, which will house the Lee County Health Department and Lee County EMS ambulance’s Fort Madison operation.
The 14,000 square foot, $6.2 million facility was built with a private/public partnership. The county received $3 million in USDA grants to go along with a $600,000 Community Development Block Grant. Investors in a fund established by the North Lee Community Foundation contributed more than $700,000 to the project privately and the county used America Rescue Plan Act funding for the remainder of the cost.
According to a report from Lee County Supervisor Garry Seyb Tuesday, there is still about $500,000 left in construction costs to cover on the facility.
Representatives from Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ office, along with local and state officials, will be making remarks. Light refreshments will be served and staff will be available for questions during the tour.