Cracks and crumbling rooftops may mean the end for the East Victoria Street fire hall as the Burlington Council discussed last Thursday possible plans to remove the old building.
The hall was deemed unfit for use more than 10 years ago after environmental effects weakened beams in the rooftop to dangerous levels.
“We basically got run out of the fire station because it was going to fall on our heads,” Councilman Chris Loving said.
Mayor Ed Brunz, who presented the issue to the Council, said renovating the old building could cost $2 million.
The Farmer’s Market kitchen is currently located within the hall and is in use on a rented basis. Brunz said kitchen users could be easily relocated to make room for more needed construction — parking spaces.
Three churches surrounding the building are competing for parking spots. One of which, Christ the King Community Church, Brunz said, is in the middle of expansion, which will raise the problem further. Businesses within the vicinity including El Gitano and Sparkle Shop Cleaners have notified the planning department of their problems as well.
Brunz said he spoke with fire department volunteers and found they “didn’t really care about what happened to the building.”
The Christ the King Community Church has offered to demolish the building without charge to the city. This option will stay on the ballot for future consideration.
Loving expressed his desire to see reusable pieces of the building salvaged.
Should the building be removed, the act will fall under the Washington state Environmental Policy Act guidelines, in which full consideration must be given to the environmental impact of the building’s removal including the possible loss of historic value.
The building was selected in 2005 by the Washington Heritage Register of Historic Places as a notable building, but was not nationally recognized.
Brunz said an aspect worthy of salvage would be the appliances in the Farmer’s Market kitchen, which could be moved to the library in the old City Hall building. He said the space “isn’t much of a kitchen,” consisting only of an oven and dishwasher.
Loving said he agreed with the proposed demolition because it would remove a liability from the city.
Councilman Bill Aslett was the only member to oppose moving forward with the building’s removal. He said he would suggest selling the property before building a parking lot.
“We haven’t been in the parking lot business before,” he said.
The level of permanency for the proposed 45 spaces the lot will bring is still within discussion.
“I’m not trying to say let’s have a parking space forever,” Mayor Brunz said. “I’m saying we’re in need of it.”
Burlington City Planning Director Margaret Fleek said the Council should not be looking to “save a buck” during the lot’s construction.
“We’ve got to build a parking lot that’s not a piece of junk,” she said. “We’ve got to spend the money and do a good job.”
The Council also discussed the addition of landscaping to comply with city codes and prevent the lot from becoming a slab of asphalt.
“There’s nothing that ticks people off more than when the city doesn’t follow their own rules,” Loving said.
Brunz suggested creating a commemorative display to honor the existence of the hall. He said this could include a plaque or the display of an old bell.
Grim future for old fire hall
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