Plans to move forward with construction of Poplarville’s new fire department have been delayed due to the high bids to build the facility.

Last week, Jason Lamb, the engineer working with the city on the project, proposed to Mayor Billy Spiers and the board of aldermen they should request for additional funds for the project.

The 6,600-square-foot facility will house 3,600 feet of bay space in addition to administrative, training and living quarters. Initially, the facility was larger but had a pre-engineered metal building frame using standard metal wall panels.

Kris Foster, Poplarville fire chief, said that during the course of planning for the project, the city determined the building would require a more substantial structure and façade to meet applicable wind load ratings as required by the 2003 International Building Code.

In addition, the facility will be the official emergency operations center for Poplarville during times of natural disaster, thereby requiring a reinforced hardened shell of brick and concrete masonry and hurricane-resistant windows and doors.

The city received $660,000 from a Community Development Block Grant to build the fire station. The city will apply $50,000 of its own funds toward the project.

Because of the high costs of building the facility in today’s economy, Foster said he has requested additional funding from the Mississippi Development Authority to proceed with the project.

“I’m hoping to find out something in the next week or so,” said Foster. “If we get the money, I’m looking at 60 to 90 days to start construction of the station.”

The new fire station will be built on Mississippi Highway 53 across from the Poplarville School District’s Parent Center.