July 28, 2008

Buyers interested in former firehouse

       A Center Grove area fire station that was home to engines, alarm bells and bunks for emergency workers for more than 50 years might soon have a major makeover.  Two buyers are interested in the two-story firehouse at 1086 S. Runyon Road, and they have visions of turning it into a residence or business.  The vacant building has been for sale since fall, when firefighters moved to a new station at State Road 135 and Olive Branch Road, White River Township Fire Department Chief Jeremy Pell said.

         A Martinsville resident and a Greenwood couple both submitted bids that exceeded the $100,000 minimum to buy the building, he said.  The department isn't required to accept the highest bidder, but price will be a factor in the decision about who gets the station, Pell said.  Mark Mauck bid $115,000 and wants to use the about 5,000-square-foot space as a new location for his water restoration business, First Response Services.  John and Elizabeth Henderson of Greenwood submitted a bid of $125,125, Pell said.  He's not sure what the Hendersons would do to renovate the two-story station into a home but said that's their intent.

         Pell doesn't know how the money from the sale will be spent.  "It's been our plan to sell it all along. We just need to find the right person to sell it to," Pell said.  Since the building was constructed specifically to be a fire station, he was curious to see who would want to purchase it.  Pell wasn't sure whether the buyer would renovate the building or tear it down and build something else on the half-acre lot.  "It just takes the right combination of someone who needs that kind of building," he said. "And it carries a lot of history for our community and department, so I absolutely can't wait to see what's done with it."

         Pell started working as a firefighter with the department nearly 20 years ago. He and many other veteran firefighters remember working their first shifts at the station, back when the township had only a small volunteer department.  "I just hope somebody puts it to good use," Pell said.  The second floor of the station is living space. The downstairs is an open bay area with large lifting doors.  Mauck said the space is perfect for his business.  He and his workers go out at all hours a day to fix sump pumps and failures in sewer lines. Mauck wants to use the old fire station as a place to house his on-call workers and store equipment.  A public meeting to review the bids and possibly make a decision will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 5 at fire headquarters, 850 S. Mullinix Road.  See a related story HERE.
 

           
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