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Former Chicago firehouse for sale

Feb 8

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History | Comments off

The 102-year-old firehouse at 1723 W. Greenleaf Ave. is back up for grabs after the city opened the property to bids for the third time since it closed in 2009.

On Monday, the city’s Department of Planning and Development issued a request for proposals for the two-story firehouse and the target selling price is $315,000.

The station, formerly the home of Engine Co. No. 102, has been on the market twice since it closed in 2009 following the construction of a newer firehouse.

Between 2013 and 2014, several interested parties vied for the space and Ald. Joe Moore (49th) eventually whittled down the proposals to three — a Hindu temple, a home-office space and headquarters for two economic support and social organizations — though none of the prospects came to fruition.

Shortly after it closed, the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society also made a move for the property, though that plan also eventually fell through.

The 6,323-square-foot building was finished in 1915 and sits atop a 8,934-square-foot lot, and is currently zoned for residential developments, though the planning department is willing to consider requests that require zoning changes.

It’s potential use is flexible, according to the city, but “respondents must respect the existing land uses and architecture of the surrounding area when submitting proposals,” and proposals should “preserve the historically significant exterior elements and basic structure of the building.”

Among its features is a vintage air raid siren installed in 1942 and operated by a Chrysler motor known as the “1 Chrysler Victory Bell.”

thanks Dennis

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Vacant CFD firehouses for sale

Apr 12

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History, Fire Service News | Comments off

This from:

Fire Sale: Vacant Firehouses on the Market Around City

April 12, 2013 7:29am | By Benjamin Woodard, DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

ROGERS PARK — Across the city, 11 vacant firehouses are set to be sold off by the city, officials said.

Two of the old stations are on the Far North Side, one at 5714 N. Ridge Blvd. in Edgewater and another at 1723 W. Greenleaf Ave. in Rogers Park.

“The city has a variety of police and fire stations that are no longer serving public safety purposes and are available for redevelopment,” said Peter Strazzabosco, a deputy commissioner with the Department of Housing and Economic Development.

Strazzabosco said the zoning of each property varies, but any viable development proposal could be accepted by the city, including a restaurant or an office for a nonprofit organization.

“I will say, though, there’s lots of interest in the city’s vacant police and fire stations,” he said. “They have a lot of potential.”

Ald. Joe Moore (49th) said in an email to constituents that he had been working with Mayor Rahm Emanuel to find a use for the Greenleaf Avenue firehouse “that would be most beneficial to the surrounding neighborhood.”

Strazzabosco said there was “considerable interest” in the firehouse, which has been vacant since 2009 when the firefighters there moved to a new station on Clark Street.

The city appraised the structure and land at $250,000. Moore said the land is zoned for residential use, but he would consider supporting a zoning change for a project supported by the community.

At one time, the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society expressed interest in moving into the firehouse, but decided it would not be able to afford to rehabilitate the building.

The deadline for bids is 4 p.m. May 8.

The firehouse on Ridge Boulevard, a Chicago Landmark, was built in 1928 and trimmed in terra cotta. The land and structure, including a parking lot, had been appraised at $350,000 and is zoned for a small-scale retail development.

Strazzabosco said the city would begin accepting bids for that property next week.

Any sale of city property, however, must be approved by the City Council.

In Bronzeville, the City Council is close to approving a $1, 10-year lease for a vacant firehouse to be used as a museum dedicated to African-American firefighters.

Other firehouses have been sold, such as one near the Damen Brown Line “L” stop, which is now being converted into a single-family home, Strazzabosco said.

Several south side firehouses, along with other historic buildings, are listed on the city’s website.

Moore said his zoning and land use advisory committee would review proposals for the Greenleaf Avenue firehouse.

“I look forward to sharing with you the proposals for the use of the site,” he told constituents.