BURLINGTON -- Should it stay or should it go?

That’s the question Burlington city officials are hoping to answer regarding the fate of the old fire station downtown.

Officials are seeking input from the community as to whether the aging structure should be demolished or renovated. Burlington Planning Director Margaret Fleek said the department is looking for comments — pro or con — regarding the building.

Interested residents are also being sought for a task force devoted to the issue, Fleek said. The group would take a tour of the building, review previous reports on its structural problems and answer the logistical questions that arise.

“If there isn’t a huge public outcry, it’s going to go down,” Fleek said. “We’d love to hear from the public because we don’t want to be in a position that’s not supported by the public.”

If the 53-year-old building is torn down, a 30- to 40-car parking lot would likely spring up in it’s current location on East Victoria Avenue.

Mayor Ed Brunz has expressed support for demolishing the building, which is primarily used as a kitchen for the farmer’s market and rented out for local events.

He said that he’s spoken with community members, including a number of volunteer firefighters, who tell him that the building isn’t worth saving.

“If we make it a parking lot, that doesn’t mean (the lot) can’t be something else later,” Brunz said.

The mayor, who would like to see a decision made before fall, said the building’s insurance premiums are slated to increase by 20 percent at that time.

Reports indicate that the building’s sinking foundation, collapsed sewer pipes and slumping walls would have to be repaired to bring it up to code. Costs for construction could cost between $1 million and $2 million.

The building is on the Washington Heritage Register of Historic Places, but not on the National Register due to the city not being able to prove that its architect is deceased, Fleek said. The structure could receive funding if it were on the list.

The idea for demolishing the fire house originally came about due to limited parking in the 600 block of East Fairhaven Avenue, Brunz said.

Attendees of the three nearby churches take up a number of spaces downtown, he said, so having a parking lot in the area would improve access to other businesses.

“We’re having some real parking problems now,” Brunz said. “We just don’t know how we’re going to alleviate that.”

Fleek said residents interested in sitting on the task force committee should contact her at 360-755-9717 or City Administrator Jon Aarstad at 360-755-0531.

The city will also be taking public input during its next City Council meeting later this month.