BLOOMINGTON -- Masonry blocks used in the construction of the city's Fire Station No. 5 were not properly waterproofed and the new building is leaking.

The $3 million building remains unused until the City Council decides how its staffing and equipment play into the city's budget problems. Another fire station, largely paid with federal money, also is in the works at Central Illinois Regional Airport.

Benjamin Kaufman of ApaceDesigns, the project architects, said the blocks were not manufactured to project specifications and did not include a water repellent. Contractor Otto Baum Co., Morton, is offering a $17,000 credit and to apply sealant.

"This is not the most ideal situation; far from it, actually," Mayor Steve Stockton said during Monday's council meeting. "We have to decide, are we satisfied enough that this is a mitigation of the problem?"

"No, this doesn't solve it," responded Ward 1 Alderman Bernard Anderson.

The council rejected a plan to paint sealant on the blocks and said it wanted to review alternatives.

Construction began in April 2008. The building is located at Six Points Road and the proposed extension of Mitsubishi Motorway.

Anderson said his employer, Nicor Gas, experienced a similar problem with masonry blocks at one of its buildings. A sealant remedied the problem but the results were inadequate, he said.

Ward 4 Alderman Judy Stearns questioned how much the problem devalues the building and whether the offer of applying sealant and $17,000 were enough compensation.