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Council briefed on options for historic 300 Merriman fire station; appraisal and T‑Mobile lease noted
Summary
Staff told council the 1927 fire station at 300 Merriman is on the National Register, has been vacant since 2014, was appraised at $930,000 in 2020, and has a concealed T‑Mobile cell tower that generates about $35,000 annually; staff will work with the Preservation Society and return with appraisal and disposition options (lease, sale or donation).
City staff presented options for the historic 300 Merriman fire station and asked for council feedback on next steps.
Nikki Reed described 300 Merriman as a "treasured historic asset" listed on the National Register, closed to occupancy since 2014 because of potentially hazardous materials (lead‑based paint and asbestos). Reed said the building has a small land footprint (about one‑third acre), a roughly 6,000‑square‑foot building, and hosts a concealed cell tower used by T‑Mobile; the tower generates approximately $35,000 per year in rental income and the T‑Mobile lease includes an on‑site server room.
“We did have an appraisal done, in 2020, and that valued the property at the time for $930,000,” Reed said. She described options including working with the Preservation Society to use preservation tools that restrict demolition and preserve historic features, marketing the property for offers, or evaluating community‑oriented uses such as a resilience hub or community center.
Council members raised the Asheville Firefighters Association’s feasibility work (the union paid for a feasibility analysis they said found no asbestos and proposed a mixed use including resilience hub functions) and urged staff to consider those options alongside preservation tools. Reed said staff will seek updated appraisals, lean into Preservation Society expertise, and present alternative offers and analysis to council.
Next steps: staff will procure an updated appraisal, evaluate preservation and sale/lease options (including how conveyance of the cell tower lease would be handled), and return to council with comparative financial and preservation analyses.
