Vintage Firehouse For Sale

2412
By John Burton
RED BANK – If you’ve ever wanted to own your very own firehouse, the Borough Council has one to sell you.
The council is looking to sell the second of its borough-owned fire facilities. It is seeking bids for the firehouse at 32 Mechanic St. that currently houses the Independent Fire Company and its equipment. According to Borough Administrator Stanley Sickels, the two-story, approximately 2,200-square-foot building was constructed in 1910, at a time when the borough volunteer fire department relied primarily on hand-drawn and then horse-drawn equipment to battle local blazes.
Given the building’s age, “It’s largely antiquated,” and limited in keeping modern firefighting equipment.
“It’s very tight. There’s not a whole lot of space in the building,” for the company and equipment, he said.
The location had first housed automotive equipment in 1912, according to Sickels, who also serves as the borough’s fire marshal as well as a longtime member of the borough’s volunteer fire department.
The building remains largely as it was when it was first built and “it hasn’t been updated in decades,” Sickels noted. But the fire company did replace the roof in the aftermath of Sandy, when the 2012 super storm further damaged the already in poor shape roof, he continued.
The local volunteer fire department, much like volunteer organizations around the state and country, has had difficulty getting new members. And with the diminished ranks, Sickels pointed out, the borough department is looking to consolidate membership and equipment among its six companies.
The Independent Fire Company will likely move its equipment to the borough First Aid Squad facility, 121 Spring St., but the details are still being finalized by department members, according to Sickels.
That was the case when borough officials looked to sell the Liberty Hose Fire Company firehouse, 40 White St., two years ago, when the company and equipment relocated to the First Aid building.
Those seeking to submit a bid must do so by Aug. 30 prior to 10 a.m. Officials are planning to open them at 10 a.m. on that date at the Municipal Complex, 90 Monmouth St.
Officials did not advertise for a minimum amount. But all bids must contain a $750 check to cover legal and search fees and cost of advertising, according to the borough council-approved resolution. In addition to the $750, bidders must enclose another check for 10 percent of the bid amount for deposit.
Unsuccessful bids will have their money returned and if there is a winning bid, the purchaser will have 30 days to complete the transaction.
Borough officials have the right to reject all bids, Sickles explained.
Anyone who looks to buy the site “would need to update for a change of use,” and would be subject to all construction and development requirements, he added.
Liberty House firehouse, 40 White St., was sold to Michael Morgan, of Rumson, for $400,000. Plans call for the structure to be redeveloped as residential and commercial use, possibly a restaurant or retail site on the first floor and apartments on the upper level.
The Independent company and Liberty House firehouses are the only two owned by the borough. The other fire companies are independently incorporated with the companies responsible for maintaining the buildings.