Fire Commissioners React to Ye Olde Firehouse Decision

Commissioners of the Lido and Point Lookout Fire District voted unanimously on Monday to begin the process of demolition of the severely damaged Ye Olde Firehouse.

In consultation with its legal counsel, the Commissioners will follow all appropriate statutory processes (including a required bid from qualified firms) to take the building down. The process is anticipated for completion over the next 60-90 days.

“From our Commissioners and fire department members, to the many community residents who have shared their thoughts, it is recognized that removing the building is really the pragmatic solution,” said Commissioner Andrew Richter.

The Fire Commissioners erected emergency scaffolding around the building last month after strong recommendations from Rabco Engineering to ‘protect the public’ from the possibility of a failing outer wall (stucco) skin. The building and its land, which is assessed at a market value of approximately $900,000, requires at least $2.7 million of infrastructure upgrade to make it code compliant. The building’s many problems and code violations include lack of handicapped accessibility to necessary complete rehabilitation of the electrical and mechanical systems, roofing, windows, etc. – all of which make the building inhabitable by the public. Only a small portion of the building is currently used by the Fire District.

“As I have said recently, it’s not fair to ask the public for almost $3 million in a bond to upgrade a building like this, when we have serious needs that total at least $6.5 million for our Lido and Pt. Lookout fire service buildings.”

As the statutory process for demolition evolves, the Commissioners will be focused on preserving certain contents of the building for re-use, such as the fireplace, war memorial, 1939 World’s Fair flagpole, and many fire district recognitions and items that remind the community of the district’s place in local history.

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