The Jacksonville Economic Development Commission has concerns over proposed designs to expand Fire Station No. 4.

It has asked Fire Chief Larry Peterson to come back next month with more details on how the proposed prefabricated metal building addition would blend with the existing firehouse and surrounding neighborhood.

“I have a fundamental issue with the temporary building,” said Committee member Chris Flagg, who cast the only vote against deferment. “I don’t know if that’s the image we want to project.”

Peterson said brick construction would’ve been preferred, but the metal building is all that can be afforded with the $225,000 in department funds.

He added that some building is necessary to house various trucks and equipment now filling up the adjacent parking lot and spilling out into streets. Thanks to lower steel building prices, this is the best course of action at the moment.

“It’s almost embarrassing with the eyesore we have,” Peterson said. “We have enough money to make it work.”

DRC Chairman Roland Udenze wasn’t immediately turned off by the idea of a well-designed metal building addition.

“I think you can do something nice with metal,” he said. “But missing a site plan and elevation showing the two buildings together... a lot of issues we can’t react to.