Boulder Board Imposes 180‑Day Stay on Demolition of Fire Station No. 3 to Explore Adaptive Reuse

The Boulder Landmarks Board on Feb. 4 placed a stay of demolition for up to 180 days on the city‑owned Fire Station No. 3 at 1585 30th St., voting unanimously to pause demolition while staff and community partners explore adaptive reuse and funding options.

Staff said the circa‑1962/1964 modernist fire station is architecturally significant and sits in a prominent park setting adjacent to Scott Carpenter Park, but that reuse is constrained by floodplain regulations and modern operational needs for a fire station. "Delivering city services out of a building that is located in a high hazard flood plain is really, in conflict with how we would want to be able to serve the city in time of crisis," Michelle Crane, deputy director for facilities and fleet, told the board.

City staff and the facilities team told the board the building has been studied for more than a decade and that the fire department vacated the site after a new station opened. Staff said the city currently cannot justify investing capital to re‑equip the building for critical public operations but is willing to pursue an options analysis to identify private or partner solutions.

Historic preservation advocates—including Historic Boulder—told the board they would pursue alternatives to demolition. Tim Plass, president of Historic Boulder, said the group has already discussed potential interest and would consider grant funding or private ownership for an adaptive reuse project. "Let's not lose this one as well," Plass said, urging the board to use the stay to convene stakeholders.

John Decker moved the stay per staff language, and Abby Daniels seconded; roll call votes were unanimous. Staff said the stay will run through June 15 (180 days measured from application acceptance), during which staff will convene a working table of board volunteers, city departments, and community members to evaluate legal, floodplain, zoning and funding paths for reuse. Archival documentation of the building will be required before any demolition if demolition is ultimately approved.

What happens next: Staff will coordinate an options analysis, invite community partners (staff suggested Historic Boulder and arts/historic stakeholders), and report back to the board at regular meetings during the stay period. Possible avenues include state historic tax credits or grants if a public benefit can be demonstrated, relocation of the building, or sensitive adaptive reuse that complies with floodplain rules.

Officials, speakers and documents: Staff cited the Boulder Revised Code (section 9‑11‑23 and floodplain regulations in sections 9‑3‑3 through 9‑3‑6) as the legal framework for considering a stay and alternatives.