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Engine Company No. 1 asks council to form committee, seeks 25-year lease to revive Fire Museum
Summary
Representatives of Engine Company No. 1 asked the council to form a Parks/working committee to draft a plan and a proposal for a 25-year lease extension for the Fire Museum building; volunteers offered to pay insurance and pursue grants to restore the facility and antique apparatus.
Steve Davis, representing Engine Company No. 1, presented a proposal to revitalize the city’s Fire Museum, which the volunteers say is on city park property and currently in disrepair. Davis requested that the Parks Committee or a small working group meet with museum volunteers, develop a proposal and return to council by the first meeting in April with a plan and recommended lease terms.
Davis said volunteers are willing to pay the building’s liability insurance and pursue grants and repairs, but emphasized they need a longer-term lease (he suggested 25 years) to qualify for many grant programs. He said the building has had intermittent maintenance and that wind damage and deferred upkeep remain unresolved; volunteers have cleaned and patched some damage but cannot perform larger repairs without lease clarity.
Councilmembers discussed forming a committee to work with the engine company and finance staff to outline responsibilities, insurance, back rent or related financial questions, and a schedule for a proposal. No lease decision was made; councilmembers noted that any transfer of responsibilities or long-term lease would require a written plan and council approval.
Next steps: The council agreed to refer the matter to committee (Parks committee with possible Finance input) to meet with Engine Company No. 1 and return with a formal proposal by the first April meeting.
