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Fire Sale: Vacant Firehouses on the Market Around City

April 12, 2013 7:29am | By Benjamin Woodard, DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

ROGERS PARK — In a surprising move, the city has announced that 11 previously operational firehouses are now up for sale, according to officials. This decision comes as part of an ongoing effort to repurpose underused public buildings and revitalize neighborhoods.

Among the properties listed for sale are two stations on the Far North Side — one located at 5714 N. Ridge Blvd. in Edgewater, and another at 1723 W. Greenleaf Ave. in Rogers Park. These historic structures, once central to local emergency services, now stand empty and available for new uses.

Peter Strazzabosco, deputy commissioner with the Department of Housing and Economic Development, explained that many of these buildings no longer serve their original purpose. “The city has a variety of police and fire stations that are no longer serving public safety purposes and are available for redevelopment,” he said. He added that while zoning regulations vary by location, the city is open to creative proposals — including restaurants, offices, or even community spaces.

Strazzabosco noted that there's been a lot of interest in these properties. “They have a lot of potential,” he said. “There’s a real sense that these buildings can be transformed into something meaningful.”

Alderman Joe Moore (49th) shared his thoughts on the matter, stating in an email that he had been working closely with Mayor Rahm Emanuel to find a use for the Greenleaf Avenue firehouse that would benefit the surrounding neighborhood. “We’re looking for something that will bring value and support to the area,” he said.

The Greenleaf Avenue station has been vacant since 2009, when firefighters moved to a new station on Clark Street. The city appraised the property at $250,000, and while it is currently zoned for residential use, Moore said he would consider supporting a zoning change if a project gained strong community backing.

Earlier, the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society expressed interest in relocating to the building but ultimately decided it was too costly to renovate. Now, the city is inviting bids, with a deadline set for 4 p.m. on May 8.

Meanwhile, the firehouse on Ridge Boulevard — a Chicago Landmark built in 1928 and featuring terra cotta trim — has been valued at $350,000. It is zoned for small-scale retail development, and the city plans to begin accepting bids for that property next week.

Before any sale can be finalized, the City Council must approve the transaction. In other parts of the city, progress is already being made. For instance, the City Council is close to approving a 10-year lease for a firehouse in Bronzeville, which will be converted into a museum celebrating African-American firefighters.

Other firehouses have also found new life. One near the Damen Brown Line "L" stop has been turned into a single-family home, and several historic sites, including some on the South Side, are listed on the city’s website for potential reuse.

Moore added that his zoning and land use advisory committee will review all proposals for the Greenleaf Avenue site. “I look forward to sharing with you the proposals for the use of the site,” he wrote to constituents.

With so much potential and growing interest, these vacant firehouses could soon become vibrant community hubs, proving that old buildings can still have a bright future.

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