A historic former Wilmington fire station is on the market with the goal of finding a use for the building that fits in with the neighborhood.
The station at 1814 Gilpin Avenue has not been active since 2013, when the city opened a new station No. 5 on Dupont Street as part of the Wilmington Housing Authority’s Lincoln Tower housing complex.
“The former fire station is on the historic register and it is surrounded by the beautiful community of Forty Acres,” said Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki. “Given the character and uniqueness of the properties in the surrounding neighborhood, the City will look for creative uses for the property that take into consideration what’s appropriate for the community. Considering the structure’s historic nature we hope to receive ideas for an adaptive reuse that preserves the building’s exterior.”
The city has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the acquisition and reuse of the site.
A two-story building sits on the property as well and comes with 12-15 off-street parking spaces in a rear fenced and paved lot. Former fire stations have been put to many uses around the country ranging from homes to businesses.
The deadline for proposals to be submitted to the city is 3 p.m. on Monday, February 12, 2018. Those interested in submitting proposals may tour the property on Thursday, January 25, 2018, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Use the following link to download a copy of the RFP: https://www.wilmingtonde.gov/home/showdocument?id=6730)
Once a viable proposal has been identified and reviewed publicly by the community and City Council, he will ask Council to declare Station No. 5 to be surplus property and then approve it for disposition to the individual or entity selected to develop the site.
Built in 1893, the building most recently housed the City of Wilmington’s Fire Protection Unit. In January of this year, the Fire Protection Unit vacated the building, which is being used for storage.
The building was the home of the Water Witch Fire Co. No. 5, which later became part of the city fire department.
