<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=192888919167017&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Thursday, March 28, 2024
March 28, 2024

Linkedin Pinterest

Vancouver eyes selling old fire station sites

Topper, Stober raise concerns about uses

By Katy Sword, Columbian politics reporter
Published: August 6, 2018, 8:41pm
2 Photos
The previous Vancouver Fire Station 2 was small and outdated.
The previous Vancouver Fire Station 2 was small and outdated. The Columbian files Photo Gallery

Now that Vancouver’s two new fire stations are up and running, the city has to decide what to do with the old buildings.

The new and improved fire stations 1 and 2 opened Jan. 23. The existing Fire Station 1, previously at 900 W. Evergreen Blvd., is now at 2607 Main St. Fire Station 2 has been moved from 400 E. 37th St. to 2106 Norris Road.

The two new stations cost the city $16 million. The sale of the old stations could help recoup some of that cost. Chris Malone, Vancouver’s finance and asset management manager, said that’s been the plan all along.

The old stations were declared surplus property back in March 2015, opening the door for the city council to move forward with selling the two sites.

Sale price estimates put Station 1 at $1.44 million and Station 2 at $430,000. The buildings would be sold “as is,” and the city would handle the sale internally via a bid and review process.

Some on the council are hoping the sites can be sold with an earmark for affordable housing.

Councilor Alishia Topper said some of the community has asked about the possibility for a homeless shelter, and while that’s not a priority for her at the sites, the council should consider the opportunity for affordable housing before moving forward with a general sale.

Councilor Ty Stober said he’s concerned that at the current sale price, the city can’t ensure the best use for the property.

“I think there’s going to be a need in the future for higher density in more parts of our downtown core,” Stober said. “I’m concerned about the sale price where it might just produce another two-story building that would not necessarily get our fullest long-term use.”

City Manager Eric Holmes said before selling the properties, the council can add a requirement that some or all of the two sites include affordable housing. Putting a restriction, however, could impact the value of the property. Holmes said staff can evaluate the potential value change before the council takes the next step.

The issue will come back before the council Sept. 10 for a public hearing to move forward with disposing of the properties.

Loading...
Tags
 
Columbian politics reporter