County approves plans for JWA airport

The Orange County Board of Supervisors kicked off plans to build a new

fire station at John Wayne Airport on Tuesday by approving a $3.9-million

contract for the work.

JM Contracting Inc. in Downey will build the facility.

The county is replacing the existing Fire Station No. 33 because it is

outmoded. The new Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting station will be

14,958 square feet and include six equipment bays.

The county plans to pay for the new station with 80% in grant money

from the Federal Aviation Administration. The county is chipping in 20%

for the building.

Work is set to begin in mid-May, with tentative completion set for

June 2003.