Congresswoman Laura Gillen has announced a federal investment of $500,000 for renovations to the Edgemere Firehouse in Garden City, New York. The announcement was made during a press conference attended by Mayor Edward T. Finneran and Fire Department Chief James Taunton.
The funding comes from the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process and will support upgrades to the nearly century-old fire station. According to Rep. Gillen, “Thank you to all the brave firefighters who do so much to serve our community and the EMS workers who also operate out of this firehouse. I’m so proud to have worked with the mayor, the trustees, the chief and our local leaders to secure this critical investment. This renovation will directly benefit the fire department and enhance Garden City’s emergency response, while preserving the beautiful historic character of this nearly 100-year-old fire station. The funding is the result of a tireless fight that we are continuing to wage in the Fourth Congressional District to make sure that we are bringing home more resources to the district. Long Island sends more to Washington than we get back and we are fighting to get back as much as we possibly can. Our taxes are way too high, and so we want some of those dollars back.”
Fire Department Chief James Taunton noted that the West End Firehouse had been uninhabitable for five years prior to this project moving forward: “Today is an important and exciting day for the Garden City Fire Department and for the residents of our village. On behalf of our volunteer firefighters, I want to sincerely thank Congresswoman Laura Gillen for securing this $500,000 federal grant. This grant is a direct investment in the safety of the residents of Garden City. For the past five years, our West End Firehouse has been uninhabitable. This year, through the hard work and commitment of our Mayor and Board of Trustees, we have begun moving this critical project forward. This federal funding helps offset the cost of essential upgrades and allows us to move ahead, ahead with confidence and fiscal responsibility.”
Mayor Finneran highlighted the challenges involved in securing these funds: “Today, we gather to thank Congresswoman Gillen and her dedicated team for their unwavering commitment to securing federal funding to help finance the rebuild of the historic Edgemere Firehouse. This was no simple task. Faced with numerous obstacles, the Congresswoman’s senior staff worked tirelessly for months, navigating the complicated maze of congressional committees and political realities to make this grant a reality. About eight months ago, we were told that a positive outcome was doubtful. Naturally, we were disappointed. But throughout the process, Congresswoman Gillen kept us informed and engaged.”
Last year, both Mayor Finneran and Chief Taunton reached out directly to Rep. Gillen seeking support for this funding initiative. In addition to advocating for Edgemere Firehouse specifically by sending a letter of support to House Appropriations Committee members, Rep. Gillen secured almost $13 million in federal funds overall for projects across New York’s Fourth Congressional District.
