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Fire Sale: Vacant Firehouses on the Market Around Chicago

April 12, 2013 | By Benjamin Woodard, DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

Rogers Park — In a move that could reshape parts of the city, officials have announced that 11 vacant firehouses are now up for sale. These buildings, once central to public safety, are now being considered for new purposes as the city looks to revitalize underused spaces.

Among the properties listed for sale are two on the Far North Side: one at 5714 N. Ridge Blvd. in Edgewater and another at 1723 W. Greenleaf Ave. in Rogers Park. The city is encouraging developers and community groups to submit proposals for these sites, which range from residential to commercial use.

Peter Strazzabosco, deputy commissioner with the Department of Housing and Economic Development, said the city is open to any viable development plan. “Whether it's a restaurant, a nonprofit office, or something else, we're looking for ideas that can make good use of these spaces,” he said.

The Greenleaf Avenue firehouse, which has been empty since 2009 when firefighters relocated to a new station on Clark Street, has drawn particular attention. Alderman Joe Moore (49th) has been working closely with Mayor Rahm Emanuel to find a neighborhood-beneficial use for the site. “We want to ensure this building serves the community well,” Moore said in an email to constituents.

The property was appraised at $250,000, and while it’s currently zoned for residential use, Moore said he would support a zoning change if the community backs a project. The Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society had previously shown interest in moving into the space but ultimately decided it was too costly to renovate.

Bidding for the Greenleaf Avenue firehouse is set to close on May 8 at 4 p.m. Meanwhile, the Ridge Boulevard firehouse, a historic landmark built in 1928, is also up for grabs. It was valued at $350,000 and is zoned for small-scale retail. Bids for this property will start next week.

Any sale of city-owned property must first be approved by the City Council. In Bronzeville, the council is nearing approval of a 10-year lease for a firehouse that will become a museum dedicated to African-American firefighters.

Other firehouses have already been repurposed. For example, one near the Damen Brown Line station is being converted into a single-family home. Several other historic buildings, including firehouses on the South Side, are listed on the city’s website for potential redevelopment.

Alderman Moore’s zoning and land use advisory committee will review all proposals for the Greenleaf Avenue site. “I look forward to sharing the plans with you soon,” he said.

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