Council approves $1 offer to transfer Fire Station No. 1 to Midwest Museum of Firefighting

The West Bend Common Council voted to authorize an offer to sell Fire Station No. 1 to the Midwest Museum of Firefighting for the price of $1, contingent on a museum due‑diligence period and required municipal site‑plan and architectural reviews.

Representatives of the Midwest Museum of Firefighting — including Jim Schlaemer (acting president), Kevin Steiner (vice president/co‑founder) and members of the Franz family who hold the collection — told the council they have a large historical apparatus collection currently housed in Polk and want to locate a museum in the downtown fire station. "We have commitments plural for over $2,000,000 in cash donations," Schlaemer said during the presentation, and the group said it expects to raise more funds before construction and exhibit work begin.

Why it matters: Council members described the proposal as a downtown anchor that could draw tourism and help downtown revitalization. The city-owned building is zoning‑eligible for an institutional use and would require renovations and probably upgrades to mechanical systems; the museum said the fire station offers roughly 25,000 square feet of space versus about 10,000 square feet currently used for the collection. The nonprofit told the council it estimates a minimum additional cash fundraising goal of $4 million to cover renovation and create an endowment for operations.

What the council approved: Resolution 23 directs the city to enter an offer to purchase Fire Station No. 1 for $1, authorizes a museum due‑diligence period to inspect the building and test feasibility, and gives authority to the city administrator to execute the offer on the city's behalf. The resolution notes the museum must apply for any required site plan and architectural review with the city's planning commission.

Museum plans and constraints: Presenters described the collection as including hand‑pulled and horse‑drawn apparatus, a working historic call‑box station and interactive educational exhibits. Schlaemer said an upper floor at the fire station likely could not hold a full fire engine but could display lighter apparatus and host interactive and educational displays. Kevin Steiner described the Midwest focus and compared the project to established firefighting museums elsewhere: "The Midwest is our objective," he said.

Funding and operations: The museum group said it intends to seek a combination of cash donations (they reported more than $2 million committed so far), additional fundraising, and creation of an endowment to support operations and paid staff. The presenters said they expect a mix of paid staff and volunteers, with volunteers likely to include retired firefighters and mechanics who now support the existing collection.

Council discussion and vote: Council members asked about collection size, parking, building condition (including HVAC needs) and a likely timeline. John (city staff) told the council the property is classified in a way that allows institutional redevelopment such as a museum. After discussion, the mayor called for a roll‑call vote. The recorded ayes included Alderman Spartz, Alderman Schmidt, Alderman Engelking, Alderman Sturning, Alderman Sizer, Alderman Butchlich, Alderman Zingsheim and Alderman Bergquist; the motion carried.

Next steps and conditions: If the council's action stands, the museum will have a due‑diligence period to inspect the building and confirm feasibility; the museum will also need to complete site plan and architectural reviews before renovation or occupancy. City staff noted the museum would still be required to obtain all standard permits and approvals and that, if the proposal is not approved, the museum representatives said they would seek another location.

Evidence in the public record: The museum representatives presented photographs, described pieces in the collection and outlined fundraising progress. The council packet includes Resolution 23 and staff background on zoning, property condition and the anticipated sequence of municipal reviews.