Assembly Approves Additional Time for Willow EMS Station Build

The timeline to use appropriated funding to build an EMS station in Willow with living quarters has been extended by the Mat-Su Borough Assembly. According to Borough Emergency Services Director Ken Barkley, funding had previously been approved by the Assembly, however, the time limit to use it has expired.

District 5 Assemblymember and former Borough Emergency Services Director Bill Gamble says the station will fill a service gap. 

“There is a big gap between Willow and Talkeetna, where there are no living accommodations for responders to overnight. The station will be strategically placed and will enhance the ability of EMS and Fire to respond in both directions, north and south, in a more efficient way than they currently do.”

Barkley says the project is on the State and Federal priority list.

Design funding is secured, however, there is not enough for the construction. Barkley says they need more time to secure additional funds. 

“We’ve got enough money to go out and design right now, $700,000 for that. And then we have about 3.2 roughly million dollars after that still in our account.”  

The Assembly voted to extend the project timeline to June 30, 2029.

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