Brookhaven secures $3.2M Safe Room grant

Published 2:43 pm Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The city of Brookhaven has received a $3.2 million federal grant to build a FEMA 361 Safe Room.

Mayor Les Bumgarner told aldermen this week that the storm shelter will be constructed to hold up to 950 people for up to 36 days in the event of a hurricane or other similar emergency.

Bumgarner says the shelter will be located by the Hansel King Sportsplex.

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He says the grant requires a 5 percent match from the city, and officials expect to have the project completed by early next year.

Bumgarner says the city’s match will be covered by providing the land and in-kind service such as water, sewage and landscaping.