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Grand Island developer Paul Warshauer wants to buy old Fire Station No. 1 at 302 S. Pine St. and lease it back to a private, not-for-profit group to use as a firefighting museum.
"I want it to be a living museum," he said in describing hands-on displays and classes that could be held at the station.
Warshauer said a proposed not-for-profit group, Friends of the Fire Station, is already in the making. An organizational meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Grand Island Public Library. The public is invited.
Warshauer said the 1937 brick fire station could house fire engines and firefighting equipment from the city and county. It could be operated by retired firefighters, historians and volunteers.
The idea is supported by the Grand Island firefighters union.
"Rather than see the building get turned into apartments, we'd like to see it stay looking like a fire station," union President Scott Kuehl said. "It fits good with what we want to see happen with it."
Kuehl said the union had considered buying the property itself but lacks the financial wherewithal.
Former Grand Island City Administrator Gary Greer actually offered the building to the union on a rental basis, but money was a problem then, also, Kuehl said.
"For our small union, it's too much to handle," he said.
But partnering with a private owner could be a doable project, Kuehl said.
The city has issued a 15-page request for proposals to prospective buyers. Purchase proposals are due to the city by Feb. 28 and must include a business plan, proposed use, renovation costs, development schedule and aesthetics preservation plan.
Purchase proposals also must include the relocation plan of the on-site fire safety training tower to the city's new Fire Station No. 1 at 409 E. Fonner Park Road.
Warshauer had planned to keep the tower.
"What a great resource this can be," he said. "Tourists, local residents and students from all over the state could come and see a real fire station and watch real firemen train on the fire training tower."
Kuehl said that, besides Warshauer's proposal, he has also heard of interest in turning the former fire station into a Boys and Girls Club an effort he also supports.
Grand Island City Councilman Tom Brown even suggested during the city council's retreat that the city give or sell the property to the Boys and Girls Club effort under way in Grand Island.
"Overall, it would be a great thing to not lose the fire station completely," Kuehl said.
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