A new East Anchorage fire station is on track to be named after the late Rep. Max Gruenberg, who died unexpectedly in February after successfully fighting for state funds for the station.
An ordinance being introduced Tuesday by Anchorage assembly members proposes to name Fire Station 3 after Gruenberg. The station, which is moving from its old location near Merrill Field to a 1-acre plot at 430 Bragaw St., is scheduled to open later this year.
When it came to securing state money to rebuild Fire Station 3 as well as Fire Station 6 in his district, Gruenberg was "instrumental," according to the ordinance. The ordinance also notes his role in legislation relating to arson prosecution and the mandatory installation of carbon monoxide detectors during building construction.
City code requires a year to pass between a person's death and a structure being named after them. But Assemblyman Pete Petersen — who is co-sponsoring the measure with Forrest Dunbar and Amy Demboski and served four years with Gruenberg in the state House — said it made sense in this case for the Assembly to waive the requirement because the station is still under construction.