The glossy finish of the new fire truck, ladder folded neatly atop its roof, will roll through the streets of Athens starting Wednesday.
The controversial $1.1 million truck was the subject of many back-and-forth discussions between Ohio University and city officials for more than a year.
After continued conversations over payment options for the truck, which would replace the current more than 20-year-old ladder truck, university officials agreed to contribute $250,000, in $50,000 increments over the next five years, to the fund. The sum will come from East State Street real estate holdings.
City officials had already saved $640,000 for the truck but in November, Athens City Council members decided to borrow an additional $400,000 to finance the expenditure.
The truck will be on display Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Fire Headquarters, 61 Columbus Road.
as218907@ohiou.edu
